Kansas Klips

Man rescued at Hays construction site following basement fall

ELLIS COUNTY—A man sustained multiple injuries Friday, February 23rd, at a fall at a house under construction in Hays according to the Hays Fire Department. The Department received a dispatch at 8:52 a.m. regarding a male who fell into a basement on Larned Circle. Fire crews reached the scene and worked with EMS, who administered medical care to the individual, according to Hays Fire Chief Ryan Hagans. A low-angle rescue was made, essential for situations where slopes range from 0 to 30 degrees and require ropes. EMS stabilized the man in the basement, and he was brought up by 9:12 a.m. before being transported to Hays Medical Center in serious condition. Hagans said the construction workers should conduct regular walkthroughs of their work sites to identify hazardous and safe areas. The Hays Fire Department has not received any updates regarding the individual’s condition. (Hays Post)

Police in southwest Kansas catch flying burglary suspect

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities captured a unique suspect after a call for help in southwest Kansas. Just before noon on Saturday, February 25th, police responded to the historic Finnup Homes after a motion sensor set off a burglary alarm upstairs in one of the homes, according to a social media report from Garden City Police. Officers located the intruder, according to Amy Heineman, Executive Assistant for the Finnup Trustees. It was a small dove that had made its way inside. Officer Brecken Ralson caught the bird in one of the bedrooms and removed it from the residence. The dove was safely released. (Hays Post)

Kansas woman injured after rear-end crash

CHEYENNE COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Mary Beth Zweygardt, 60, St. Francis, was southbound on Kansas 27, approximately one mile north of the U.S. 36 Junction on Friday, February 23rd, just before 10:00 p.m. A southbound 2001 Acrua, driven by Octavio Ruiz, 27, Wray, Colorado, began to pass the Jeep. The Jeep crossed the center line and made contact with the rear passenger side bumper of the Acura. After impact, the Acrua began to slide sideways in front of the Jeep. The Acura entered the west ditch and rolled. Zweygardt continued southbound and approached the intersection at U.S. 36. She failed to stop at the stop sign. The Jeep crossed U.S. 36, entered the ditch, struck a road-closed sign and other traffic control posts, and struck a tree head-on. EMS transported Ruiz and Zweygardt to Cheyenne County Hospital. According to the KHP, both drivers were properly restrained. (Hays Post)

Driver airlifted to hospital after crash into Kansas fire station

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—According to a social media report, just after 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 25th, Independence Fire-EMS responded to a motor vehicle accident behind the Fire-EMS station in the 900 Block of West Myrtle in Independence. On duty staff reported via radio a loud explosion sound at the station and found a full-sized pickup had struck the back of the station. Fire-EMS quickly responded with Fire and EMS units and began treating an entrapped occupant. Medflight was requested at the scene for transport. Fire-EMS extricated and moved the patient to the helipad for transport. Bollards, a dumpster, and fencing stopped the vehicle from entering the station, where firefighters were seated at a table with only a window separating them from the truck. (Hays Post)

Homes destroyed in southwest Kansas wildfires

KEARNY COUNTY—The Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of wildfires that destroyed homes on Monday, February 26th, in Kansas. According to Kearny County Fire and Rescue, one rural home was destroyed in a grass fire south of Lakin Monday afternoon. Heavy smoke and the rough sandy conditions sometimes made getting to the fire difficult, if not impossible. Crews from Kearny County, Stanton County, Grant County, Garden City, Kearny County Road and Bridge, Tri Roger, and numerous tractors and discs provided by local farmers fought the fire for several hours before getting it under control. Also, on Monday afternoon, Seward County firefighters were dispatched to a house fire onAndrew Lane east of Road P in eastern Seward County. The fire ultimately involved multiple homes. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find five homes fully involved, according to a statement from Seward County Fire and Rescue. Thirty firefighters across the region, including Liberal City Fire, Stevens, Haskell, and Meade Counties, worked to contain the flames throughout the afternoon. Seward County EMS transported two Seward County firefighters to Southwest Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Officials have not released details on acres lost or any damage estimates. (Hays Post)