BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a near tragic accident in Barton County and praising the driver of a semi.
Just after 9:30 a.m. Monday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an injury accident involving a Polaris Ranger ATV and an International truck-tractor and semi-trailer the intersection of Northwest 130 Avenue and Northwest 20 Road, about four miles south of Albert, Kansas, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
A 2022 Polaris Ranger operated by an unaccompanied eight-year-old juvenile was westbound on 20 Road approaching the intersection of 130 Avenue when the juvenile failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection.
A southbound 1998 International semi driven by 68-year-old Steven Wissman of rural Albert was approaching the intersection, saw the ATV was not going to stop and applied heavy breaking as well as steering toward the west ditch.
Investigation at the scene indicates the ATV struck the truck on the driver side near the fuel tanks causing the ATV to spin away from the truck.
The eight-year-old was ejected from the Polaris landing on the roadway. The truck continued south into the West ditch where it came to rest.
EMS transported the eight-year-old to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of received abrasions and lacerations, according to Bellendir. Wissman was not injured.
Because Wissman was alert and observant of the situation he was able to take evasive action and tragedy was averted, according Sheriff Bellendir and officers investigating.