Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008

Early morning wreck kills Nortonville youth

by Davis Publications Inc. staff

A Nortonville teen was killed Friday morning in a fiery two-vehicle wreck in Atchison County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Christina Kirby, 17, was killed after her 1997 Dodge Avenger went left of center at 7:35 a.m. while northbound on US-59 Highway four miles south of Atchison. Kirby’s car collided head-on with a southbound 2004 Mack semi-truck and trailer hauling empty aluminum cans. The collision ignited a fire that engulfed both vehicles.

Kirby was a student at Atchison High School and a former student at Jefferson County North High School. She had transferred to AHS for her junior year of high school in the fall.

The driver of the truck, Robin Clary, 46, Troy, escaped the wreck without injury. It was four to five hours before emergency workers were able to separate the vehicles. US-59 Highway remained closed until 5 p.m. as rescue crews cleared the scene. The KHP was unsure what caused Kirby to go left of center.

The accident spurred postponement of Friday night’s games in the Jefferson County North Girls Invitational Tournament. Kirby played on the Atchison High School team, which was involved in the tournament. Friday’s games were delayed to Saturday. Saturday’s scheduled tournament finals will be played Feb. 2.

School officials said counselors were called in to both the JCN and Atchison high schools Friday to support students and staff.