Children air evaced after accident

Two Ellsinore children were taken by Air Evac to St. Louis Children’s Hospital after the vehicle they were in was struck Friday by a semi truck.

The accident occurred at noon, on U.S. 60, four miles west of Ellsinore, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The children were in a northbound 2005 Dodge 1500 when it pulled into the path of a westbound 2016 Freightliner. The Dodge was struck in the passenger side.

Lydia M. Cooley, 9, and Sophia N. Cooley, 8, were transported by Air Evac with moderate injuries.

They were in a vehicle driven by Kylashandria A. Cooley, 29, also of Ellsinore. She was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

No official information about the condition of the children was available Saturday afternoon, according to Carter County Sheriff Rick Stephens, who thanked the emergency personnel who responded to the accident.

"Your hard work (Friday), working a horrific accident was top notch. Thank you for your service to our community," Stephens said.

Carter County Sheriff's Office, Carter County Dispatch, Ellsinore Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, East Carter ambulance, West Carter ambulance, Butler County ambulance, Ellsinore fire department and others were involved in the response, he said.

The Freightliner was driven by Ronnie L. Walker, 41, of Lamar.