This was the scene at 11 a.m. this morning looking eastward. 

Update: U.S. 160 has been reopened as of 5:50 p.m.

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Sumner Newscow report – The following press release was issued through the Wellington Fire Rescue Unit concerning the fatality accident on U.S. 160 between Hillside and Oliver. We are still waiting for the official Kansas Highway Patrol accident report.

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This morning, at 9:57 a.m., Wellington Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 1000 Block of East US 160 Highway in regards to a two-vehicle motor vehicle accident. During the response, the call was upgraded to a two-vehicle accident with vehicles on fire.

Upon arrival, crews found one box truck and one passenger pick-up truck, both with extensive damage, in the south ditch. Both the box truck and passenger truck were on fire. Fire crews extinguished the fire. There were two civilian fatalities. No fire personnel were hurt during this incident.

The Kansas Highway Patrol had the highway shut down while they completed their investigation. It reopened around 5:50 p.m. today for through traffic.

Wellington Fire/EMS was on scene with one engine, one rescue, one ambulance, and two chief’s cars. Wellington Fire/EMS was joined on scene by KDOT, Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.