HomeLocalHutchinson man airlifted to Wichita following Thursday evening wreck in Ark CityHutchinson man airlifted to Wichita following Thursday evening wreck in Ark CityFri, April 14, 2023 by Brady BaumanSHARE NOW A Hutchinson man was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita from Ark City following a single-vehicle accident last week.According to a news release from the Ark City Police Department Friday, emergency services were called Thursday evening just past 7 p.m. to the 200 block of South U.S. 77 near Chestnut Avenue to a report of an injury accident.Police arrived within one minute of the call to find Ryan Penka, 41, in a vehicle that had left the roadway.Witnesses at the scene described seeing the car northbound on U.S. 77 at a high rate of speed and that the vehicle had left the roadway. It is believed that Penka’s vehicle struck a fence and two trees once leaving the roadway.Penka suffered injuries from the accident and was transported by ambulance to SKC Health for treatment. Penka was later airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.“At this time, it is believed that the driver suffered a medical emergency that caused his vehicle to leave the roadway,” ACPD Chief Eric Burr said.The vehicle sustained damage that required it to be towed from the scene.
