Accident claims the life of former Plainville resident

A two-vehicle accident in Ellsworth County which occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, has claimed the life of former Plainville resident Lyle Dunning. Dunning, along with his wife, Nancy, were both injured in the accident, with Lyle passing away on September 15.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2014 Chevy Equinox driven by Judy K. Fuller, 71, Ellsworth, was westbound on Kansas 140 just west of County Road 23. The Chevy crossed the center line and struck a 2009 Ford Escape driven by Lyle Dunning, 78, Plainville.

EMS transported Fuller, Dunning, a passenger in the Chevy, Alvin R. Fuller, 82, Ellsworth, and a passenger in the Ford, Nancy A. Dunning, 78, Plainville, to Salina Regional Health Center. All four were properly restrained.

The Dunnings, who had recently moved from Plainville to Salina, both sustained extensive severe injuries in the accident. Lyle, who suffered many broken bones, was transported to a Trauma Intensive Care Unit in Wichita, where he later suffered a heart attack. According to a family member, on Friday, the 10th, he underwent surgery on his heart, in which a stent was placed. Saturday morning he had another surgery to repair the broken hip and femur, and address several other injuries, including the soft tissue injury in the elbow. Although both surgeries went well, Lyle sadly succumbed to his injuries last Wednesday, the 15th.

Nancy remains a patient at Salina Regional Medical Center with a fractured breast bone, fractured pelvis, several fractured ribs, as well as other injuries.

As of Monday afternoon, no public services for Lyle are scheduled.