Winona boy walks down freezing highway to get help for injured sisters

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

COLBY -- A 13-year-old boy who had a broken rib and a concussion walked nearly a mile along a highway in darkness and freezing cold Wednesday night to get help for his two sisters and their friend who were seriously injured in a car crash.

The crash happened about 8:30 south of Colby on Kansas Highway 25. A car driven by Rachel A. Smith, 17, was southbound 16 miles south of Colby on K-25 when it hit a patch of ice, slid into the west ditch and hit a culvert. The car became airborne and landed on its wheels on an access road, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report.

The others in the car were Rebecca Smith, 16, Seth Smith, 13, and Heather Martin, 16, all of Winona, a Logan County town.

Rachel and Heather were wearing seat belts, and Rebecca was not, according to the report. It is unknown whether Seth was wearing a seat belt.

Shortly after the crash, Seth climbed out of the car and began walking along the highway to look for help, said Gayl Smith, Wichita, an aunt of the Smith siblings.

"He decided he was the one least hurt, so he decided to go get help," she said. "It's a family of nine kids, and they watch out for each other."

Seth walked to a nearby house and couldn't find anyone home. He was on his way back to the car when he was stopped by patrol officers.

Rachel and Seth were taken to Logan County Hospital and then flown to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Rachel suffered a broken collarbone and cracked vertebrae in her neck, and Seth had a broken rib, concussion and facial bruises, Gayl Smith said. They were released from St. Francis Thursday.

Rebecca and Heather were taken to Citizens Medical Center in Colby. Rebecca Smith remained at Citizens Medical Center in fair condition with her left leg separated from her hip socket. She is expected to be in the hospital several weeks and may need surgery, Gayl Smith said.

Heather was transferred to a hospital in Denver with injuries to vertebrae in her neck and lower back. Her condition and prognosis are unknown.

The teens attend Triplains High School in Winona, where they are active in sports, especially basketball, Gayl Smith said.

"Basketball playing may be over for them," she said. "But it's a good thing everything is fixable and nobody died."

Last year, the Smith family wasn't so fortunate. On July 2, the youngest son, Simon, 4, was hit by a truck and killed, Gayle Smith said.

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

Join the Discussion:

Salina.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here. Read our full online terms of service policy.

WhatsUp says....
Driving on ice is always a surprise and a good reason to always wear seat belts. Keep them in your prayers until they're healed.
1/17/2009

---

Post a comment
Your best chance of getting your comment posted:

• No profanity
• Be civil
• Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Comment:

Poster:

Enter text seen above:

Read our full use policy.