'Numerous children' ejected in truck crash

Six ambulances and 21 emergency personnel responded Saturday night when a pickup truck carrying 10 people rolled off a road west of Kalispell.

John Leach, an emergency medical technician with the Marion Fire Department, was among the first to arrive at the scene on Hubbart Dam Road. He said that there were “numerous children” ejected from the pickup when it sped off the gravel road.

Three suffered serious injuries. Four others were moderately injured. They were taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Eight occupants of the truck were youths, along with one 18-year-old and one 20-year-old, according to Sgt. Josh Brown with the Montana Highway Patrol.

Eight were from the Kalispell area while two had Washington addresses, Brown said.

He said that the Toyota truck left the roadway, rolled once and then came to rest in a ditch.

“Speed was a factor, and it looks like reckless driving,” he said.

The crash was reported at about 9:30 Saturday night and responders were sent nearly five miles up Hubbart Dam Road. Leach said that he was among a couple of first responders who provided medical attention until others arrived from a separate call.

Marion, Smith Valley and West Valley fire departments responded. West Valley EMS provided medical assistance and Kalispell Fire Department ambulances helped transport patients.

The group was reportedly headed for a camping spot. Other vehicles were nearby, though they weren’t involved in the crash.

The names of the injured have not been released and their medical status is unknown.

The driver of the pickup truck was a 17-year-old boy. Brown said that at this time, alcohol is not considered a factor in the crash.

“It’s going to be looked into, but it was not suspected,” he said.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.