On Saturday, Oct. 21, at about 10:45 a.m., Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of SW 60th Avenue and SW 30th Road. Both roads are County blacktop highways. This location is about four miles southwest of Great Bend, near Dundee.
Investigation at the scene indicates a 2016 case IH combine, operated by Charles Haas, age 53 of Larned, was westbound on SW 30th Road, approaching the intersection. The combine did not have a header on it at the time of the collision. A 2017 Ford Escape operated by Ronald Heine, age 75 of Great Bend, was northbound on 60 Avenue.
Investigation indicates Heine failed to stop at the stop sign, proceeding into the intersection striking the front of the combine. The Ford escape continued northbound rolling one time and coming to rest on its wheels. Heine, as well as his passenger identified as Wanda Heine age 71, sustained serious injuries in the collision. Both were transported to The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend campus.
Wanda Heine later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Haas was not injured in the collision.
The accident is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.