Several injured in accident on Cherokee Turnpike

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

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 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 closed for two hours Friday afternoon after the van rolled in the westbound lanes between Chouteau and Locust Grove.

Two medical helicopters flew five people with serious injuries to hospitals in the Tulsa area. According to OHP, four other people were transported in an ambulance.

“We believe at least five of them were ejected. Of the nine, seven are children and two are adults,” said Capt. Colby Overstreet, OHP. “It's never fun having to respond to a serious collision. The fact that there were children involved, and lots of children, makes it difficult to see something, something you never want to see.”

While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, police officers could be seen removing what appeared to be a blown tire from the road.

The van was the only vehicle affected.

News On 6 is still waiting to hear the current status of these seven children and two adults. According to police, three of the people flown to the hospital were in critical condition.