On Saturday at approximately 4:19 p.m., the Lincoln County 911 Center received a call reporting a truck and trailer that had gone into the ditch and flipped several times on Hwy. 51 near Crass Road south of Tomahawk.
When law enforcement arrived, a pickup truck and pop-up style camper, both with significant damage, were found in the east ditch of the northbound lanes of Hwy. 51. The lone occupant, Francis Bennett, 71, of Rhinelander, sustained head injuries and facial injuries, none of which were believed to be life threatening. Spirit helicopter responded to the scene and transported Bennett to Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Witness reports indicate the truck drifted across the northbound lanes and into the median, then the driver appeared to make an abrupt steering maneuver, causing the truck and camper to spin out of control, enter the east ditch and flip several times before coming to rest in the ditch. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Bennett had to be extricated from the vehicle due to damage the truck sustained.
Neither speed nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors in this crash, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Tomahawk EMS, Tomahawk Fire Department and the Tomahawk Police Department.