Multiple Injuries Occur In Accident Near Humphrey

HUMPHREY - An accident at the Highway 81/91 intersection near Humphrey caused multiple injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Nebraska State Patrol, around 11:30 AM a tractor-trailer semi-truck was driving westbound on Highway 91 when it collided with a northbound van traveling along Highway 81. State Patrol Troop Commander Paul Hattan says that the van contained a mother, 35-year-old Amy Jackson of Columbus, and eight children, whose ages ranged from 2 to 15-years-old.

All of the van's occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and Jackson and seven of the children were transported to Columbus Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Hattan says that an eight-year-old child was life-flighted to Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha with the most serious injury, but that it is also non-life threatening.

The driver of the semi, 65-year-old Duane Seamann of Spalding, was uninjured in the crash. The accident greatly slowed traffic along Highway 91, which Hattan says was partially due to it taking place in a construction zone.

"We have a construction zone going here, so that's creating some confusion, and some increased traffic," Hattan said. "The Department of Roads is out here with barricades and signs, and they're manning the traffic to get it slowed down and divert it if need be."

The accident remains under investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol.