Staff writer
Fern Bartel, 59, 1364 Diamond Road, Hillsboro, was transported by LifeTeam helicopter to Wichita after a rollover accident Aug. 17 near Goessel.
Bartel was reportedly driving eastbound in the middle of the road as she came over the hill on 150th Road at 10:08 a.m. She swerved to avoid striking another vehicle but she lost control and entered the north ditch. The vehicle, a 1995 Chrysler, flipped onto its top crumpling the roof of the vehicle.
Glass sprayed across the gravel driveway entrance of a property at the accident’s location.
After members of the Hillsboro Fire Department cut Bartel and her passenger loose from the vehicle, removing the passenger seat, Bartel was transported by LifeTeam Helicopter to Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis Street in Wichita.
Passenger Isabelle Houben, 15, of same address as driver, was transported by Hillsboro ambulance to Hillsboro Community Hospital.
Sheriff’s officer Jim Philpott said Bartel and Houben were talking with emergency personnel before transport.
At the scene, Philpott thought the accident was severe enough to result in a fatality.