Newkirk firefighters respond to grass fire and injury accident minutes apart

NEWKIRK — Newkirk firefighters and paramedics found themselves engaged in two emergencies at the same time Monday evening.

Fire chief Adam Longcrier said at 7:30 p.m. fire units responded to a report of a grass fire north of the Figure 8 Race Track that was threatening a structure. 

As they were fighting the fire along side Dale Township firefighters, Newkirk police and Kay County deputies were attempting to stop a possible intoxicated driver that was heading toward town on River Road at a high rate of speed.

The driver lost control and rolled the vehicle near 7th and Pine. Longcrier said that the vehicle landed on top of a gas meter creating a gas leak.

First responders were dispatched to the accident at 7:54 p.m.

“We had just got a handle on the fire when we received the call on the accident,” said Longcrier. “We were able to pull all but one truck away from the fire and respond.”

Longcrier said crews arrived and found themselves dealing with an accident and a gas leak.

The driver of the vehicle was reportedly unconscious for about one minute. Longcrier said crews were able to secure the gas leak and remove the driver from the vehicle.

“The patient was suffering with severe head injuries and possible internal injures. “We transported him to the Newkirk Football Field, met the chopper and he was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.”

The driver’s name has not been released at this time.