On Thursday, Oct. 6, at about 3:15 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported multi-vehicle accident north of the Kansas Wetlands Education Center on K-156 Highway, northeast of Great Bend.
Upon arrival, officers located a four-vehicle collision which included a truck tractor/semi-trailer combination, as well as another vehicle that had rolled over.
Investigation at the scene indicates a 2014 Ford Focus operated by Daniel McHenry, age 32 of Kanopolis, was westbound on K-156 and crossed left of center for unknown reasons. The McHenry vehicle struck an eastbound tractor trailer unit operated by Sarah Carson, age 56 of Ensign, KS. The McHenry vehicle struck the 2003 Kenworth tractor in the tandem drive axles blowing out two tires. The Kenworth continued eastbound on K-156 stopping safely at a distance from the accident scene. The driver of the truck, Sarah Carson, was not injured.
The McHenry vehicle then spun out of control and continued westbound striking a 1992 GMC Suburban operated by Victor Swire, age 65 of Bushton. The Swire vehicle rolled one time coming to a rest in the eastbound ditch. Victor Swire, as well as a passenger identified as Jacqueline Swire, were both transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus with non-life threatening injuries.
The McHenry vehicle then continued westbound striking a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse operated by Caitlin Radenberg, age 31 of Claflin. Radenberg, as well as a two-week-old infant that was also in her vehicle, were unharmed.
The McHenry vehicle continued into the eastbound ditch coming to rest on its wheels. McHenry was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Their office was assisted at scene by the Great Bend Fire and EMS, Claflin Fire and EMS service, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Traffic was restricted in the area for about two hours.