U.S. 56 was closed for about an hour on Monday as the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to an injury accident near milepost 217 east of Ellinwood (East U.S. 56 and SE 120 Ave.). 

Sheriff Brian Bellendir reports the accident occurred just before 4 p.m. when a westbound 1996 Ford Ranger operated by Michael Frost of Russell crossed left of center. It sideswiped a 2021 Volvo tractor-trailer operated by 29-year-old Nicholas Elder of Overland Park.

The Ford Ranger went off the roadway, coming to rest in the south ditch. Frost was transported to Ellinwood District Hospital and later flown to a Wichita hospital with serious injuries.

Elder was not injured.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Ellinwood Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Ellinwood fire and EMS units.