Two women airlifted following Friday accident

Monday, July 10, 2017

Two elderly females were airlifted to a Terre Haute hospital following a single-vehicle accident Friday morning.

At 10:40 a.m. Annabelle S. Rennekamp, 82, Greencastle, was southbound on Manhattan Road in a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox.

Rennekamp told Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Tom Helmer she wasn’t sure what happened but her vehicle left the road and entered a ditch/ravine on the west side of the road.

As the vehicle traveled along the grass of the ravine, it hit a utility pole, breaking the pole. The pole fell across both lanes of Manhattan Road.

The vehicle continued southwest, striking an earthen embankment, causing the vehicle to spin 180 degrees and roll onto its top.

Both Rennekamp and her passenger, 84-year-old Mary F. Birnell, Greencastle, were trapped until the arrival of Reelsville Fire Department and Operation Life.

Rennekamp was airlifted from the scene to Terre Haute Regional Hospital by Statflight. Birnell was taken to Reelsville Fire Department by Operation Life then airlifted to Terre Haute Regional by Air Evac.

A witness told investigators he saw the vehicle partially off the road and the driver’s head down, possibly due to a medical condition.

Damage was estimated at $10,0001-$25,000. The vehicle was towed.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: