2 drivers seriously injured in head-on crash on Route 3 near Grand Tower

JACKSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) - Several emergency crews rushed to the scene of a serious crash on Route 3 near Grand Tower on Tuesday, June 14.

They were called to the scene around 3:10 p.m., just north of Oakwood Bottoms Road.

Part of Route 3 is blocked due to a crash near Grand Tower, Ill. — Part of Route 3 is blocked due to a crash near Grand Tower, Ill.(Google Maps)

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, 60-year-old Harold Gates, of Jackson, Missouri, was driving south on Route 3 when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit a northbound vehicle head-on.

First responders had to extricate Gates from his vehicle.

Once he was freed, Gates was flown to a St. Louis hospital to treat his serious injuries.

A viewer sent us video of a helicopter landing at the scene.

Crews were on the scene of a crash on Route 3 near Grand Tower Tuesday afternoon, June 14.

The driver of the other vehicle, 69-year-old Richard Meyer, of Sparta, was also seriously injured in the crash. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

Route 3 was closed for approximately two hours.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Members of the Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Jackson County Ambulance Service, Tower Rock Fire Department, Arch Air Medical Service and Shelton’s Towing responded to the crash scene.

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