4 injured in crash involving ambulance as dust storm smothers Oklahoma highway

NEWKIRK, Okla. – Four people were injured, including two medics, during a multivehicle crash involving an ambulance amid an intense dust storm in Oklahoma on Friday.

The crash happened about 1:30 p.m. as Newkirk’s Ambulance 56 was returning from a hospital in Blackwell and ran into zero visibility conditions along Highway 11 in Doolin, according to Newkirk Fire Department and EMS.

Photos showed the crash caused severe damage to the ambulance’s left side.

Two medics inside the ambulance were injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment, but the extent of their injuries was not given. Two others involved in the crash were also injured and transported, Newkirk Fire officials said.

Officials didn’t say exactly what led up to the crash or how many vehicles were involved. Highway 11 remained closed into Friday evening due to zero visibility.

Dust storms have been sweeping across Oklahoma as part of a powerful storm that threatened more than 150 million people with severe weather into Saturday. Multiple other crashes have been reported across Oklahoma and western Texas as visibilities suddenly drop to near zero.

Wind gusts have reached over 60-65 mph in northern Oklahoma. Gusts hit 74 mph in Stillwater and 71 mph in Oklahoma City.