Several Injured In Crash On Cherokee Turnpike

Nine people are in the hospital on Friday after a van rolled over on the Cherokee Turnpike.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol says most of the people in the van were children.

According to OHP, of the nine people in that van, seven were children. Some of them were flown to St. Francis Children's Hospital for serious injuries.

The Cherokee Turnpike was shut down for two hours Friday afternoon after the van rolled in the westbound lanes between Chouteau and Locust Grove.

Two medical helicopters flew five people to Tulsa-area hospitals with serious injuries. According to OHP, four others were taken by ambulance.

"We believe at least 5 of them were ejected. Out of the 9, 7 of them are children, and 2 are adults," said Captain Colby Overstreet, OHP. "Any severe collision is never a fun thing to have to respond to. The fact that there were children involved and a lot of children makes it difficult to see, something you never want to see"

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, troopers could be seen removing what looks to be a blown tire from the road.

The van was the only vehicle involved.

News On 6 is still waiting to learn the updated condition of those seven children and two adults. Troopers say three of the people flown to the hospital were in critical condition.