A Dix couple were both airlifted from the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Route 37 south of Route 161 on Sunday afternoon.
Those involved have been identified as the driver, 83-year-old Dale Reese of Dix, and his 79-year-old wife Sharon, who was a passenger.
Preliminary information released by State Police says the minivan was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 37 when for unknown reasons it crossed into the northbound lane, left the east side of the road, where it crossed the ditch and struck a tree head-on.
Kell Firemen report both of the occupants had to be extricated from the van. The doors had to be removed along with the sliding rear side door on the driver’s side to get the two out.
Kell Firemen with assistance from United Medical Response then set up a landing zone for the two Air Evac helicopters in a nearby front yard. The two were then flown to a St. Louis Hospital for treatment.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department was also on the scene to assist. Route 37 traffic was closed for several hours after the crash was reported at 1:38 Sunday afternoon. Mt. Vernon City Firemen stood by at the Kell Fire Station in the event of another fire call.
