NEWTON, Kan. — Police released Tuesday some additional details about Saturday night’s accident on South Kansas Avenue.
Police said on Facebook, "This was a complex series of events that was not easy to piece together, so we appreciate your patience in trying to understand exactly what happened.
"At 10:20 p.m. on Feb. 22, Newton Police were dispatched to an accident in the 1600 block of South Kansas. Officer Brad Anderson was leaving a call at Newton Medical Center and arrived within minutes.
"When he arrived, Officer Anderson saw power lines down across South Kansas. He met with a man who said his wife had suffered severe leg injuries. Anderson followed the man to his wife and applied tourniquets to both of her legs to stop the bleeding. Newton Fire/EMS arrived a short time later and transported the woman to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
"The accident investigation revealed that the couple had stopped to check on the driver of another vehicle that had left the road and struck guy wires supporting an electrical pole. The pole carried power lines over U.S. Highway 50, and the damage caused those power lines to sag.
"A semi-truck was eastbound on U.S. 50, unaware the power lines were sagging over the road. The roof of the semi snagged the lines, causing the poles on South Kansas on both the north and south sides of U.S. 50 to detach, sending guy wires, poles, and power lines across South Kansas at a high velocity. It is believed this flying debris is what struck the female victim as she was standing outside her vehicle.
"The man who initially struck the pole did not appear to be injured in the accident, but he was transported to the hospital for a medical condition. The driver of the semi was not injured in the accident.
"Officer Anderson has been with the Newton Police Department since September 2018. We are proud of his efforts to help save the victim’s life."
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victim and her family, and we wish her a speedy recovery from this terrible accident.