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NewsMonday, February 18, 2008 4:56 PM CST
2 in Logan Co. wreck show improvement
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LINCOLN — Two Lincoln High School graduates injured in a truck crash Friday continue to improve at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, according to a nursing supervisor.

Clark Schooneover, who suffered a broken collarbone and leg, was listed in fair condition Sunday night. Zach Rickord was upgraded from critical condition to serious, the supervisor said.

The crash took the lives of four other students, whose names have not been released by the Logan County coroner’s office because records must be checked to confirm positive indentifications.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete, but The Pantagraph on Sunday received death notices for Christopher McGlasson of Middletown and Ross B. Conrady of Elkhart, two of the victims.

Further details concerning the accident also have not been released by police officials.

Six teenagers were traveling in an extended cab pick-up truck westbound on 1300th Street in a rural area east of Middleton. As the truck went over Polecat Hill, the driver apparently lost control, striking trees where the road turns south to become 250th Avenue, officials said. The accident was discovered about 11:29 p.m

Mike Boyer and his wife came upon the scene as they were returning from basketball game at Lincoln High to their home on a farm near Middleton. The truck had slid sideways across 40 feet of grass and striking two trees on the driver’s side, Boyer said.

“My wife said she spotted little flames coming from beneath the truck. My wife called 911, and that’s when I noticed one of the boys yelling for help,” he told The Pantagraph Saturday.

Boyer then went to the truck and pulled one boy, Clark Schoonover, out from the driver’s side window and laid him on the ground, he said. At that point, another driver came by the scene, and Boyer asked him to go get a fire extinguisher.

“There was an unbelievable amount of smoke inside the cab and I began to see flames lapping up from the floorboard,” he said. Boyer said that he couldn’t wait any longer (for fire suppression help) so he pulled Zach Rickord from the side window on the passenger side.

The entire truck was then quickly engulfed in flames, he said.

“I thought maybe there was another one or two still in the truck, but I never would have thought their were six people riding in the truck,” he said.

“Maybe—I don’t know if those kids were alive in that truck—but if I had had a fire extinguisher, then we’d know.”

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Reader comments on this story - 10 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

gratified wrote on Feb 18, 2008 6:51 PM:

" You have been a true hero. what you did is nothing short of a miracle. what you did is something most would not have thought of. you responded and did not panic and that took guts. you did what you could and that is it. dont get hard on yourself because of the loved ones past. you didnt know and it was no longer safe for you. you cant be hard on yourself i know it has to rough but push on. i will continue to pray without seasing for you and the rest of the family and the boys. god bless all of you who were affected and to all who have to investigate this tragedy. "

M.Boyer wrote on Feb 18, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Mike, I don't know you but we could be related cause we have the same last name and most of my relatives come from that area, My father was Harold P. Boyer who grew up in Greenview.
But aside all that, my older brother and my cousin and an ex-brother in law all crashed in that same general area and the car burned up about 3 yrs. ago. So after I read about this, It just brought back horrific memories, I immediatley prayed for you and the kids and the familys involved. Mike you are a true hero in my book, God Bless You and Your Wife. "

Mike Boyer wrote on Feb 18, 2008 2:40 PM:

" You are in our prayers at this difficult time. Bless you for reacting quickly and saving the teens you could. They were very lucky you came along and offered the help you could. This is an awful tragedy and you lessened the impact for some of the families. Trust yourself. You made a difference. May God bless you and bring you peace of mind and heart. "

To Mr Boyer wrote on Feb 18, 2008 2:15 PM:

" You are a true hero. Don't ever second guess yourself or make yourself feel you could have done more. You saved the lives of 2 young people who now have a future because of you. I can only imagine the grief you have upon yourself....but if it wasn't for you and your wife's bravery....no one would have made it. Thank god for people like you and your wife and your bravery. To the families involved in this horribly accident...may God be with you. "

Wow wrote on Feb 18, 2008 12:43 PM:

" What a great act of bravery!!! A true hero. "

Praying for you wrote on Feb 18, 2008 12:23 PM:

" Mr Boyer, you were exactly where God wanted you. You are a hero for saving the lives of those two boys. To the families of the kids who didn't make it know that your families are in the thoughts and prayers of so many people you don't even know. "

Wonder wrote on Feb 18, 2008 11:58 AM:

" if the 2 boys knew the status of the others in the truck? "

Ashley wrote on Feb 18, 2008 11:42 AM:

" I was a close friend of the girl who was taken to the hospital but later died. Because of the passers by that stopped, her family has the comfort of knowing that their daughter was not lying out there alone. My prayers are with everyone who is suffering the loss of a loved one right now and with the two who are still hospitalized. Katie M., I loved you and you will be missed by so many. "

Michelle Parker wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:32 AM:

" I'm thrilled, and hope you boys have a speedy recovery. "

Wonderful Man wrote on Feb 18, 2008 7:41 AM:

" Mike you shouldnt question if the others were still alive. What you did was save two peoples life. They are lucky anyone even came buy out in the country. You are a great man for what you have done. Thank god you were there to save them two. "

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