Six injured in Wind River Canyon crash, including four Cody High School wrestlers

Six people, including four members of the Cody High School wrestling team, were injured when after a 1999 Jeep collided with a rock and flipped over on US Highway 20 in the Wind River Canyon on Sunday.

The crash occurred at approximately 10 p.m. near mile post 117 on US 20 in Fremont County, north of the tunnels in the Wind River Canyon, according to a report from the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Six people were injured when this vehicle hit a rock and flipped in the Wind River Canyon. Courtesy photo

The Jeep, owned by Charles B. Flickinger of Cody, was travelling northbound when the vehicle's left front tire struck a rock on the roadway. After colliding with the rock, the vehicle left the roadway, rolled onto its roof and hit the cliff wall, coming to rest in the northbound emergency lane of US 20, facing north, the report said.

Shannon Canfield of Cody, whose son Carson Canfield is on the wrestling squad but was not in the vehicle, said she has exchanged text messages with the parents of the injured people. She provided the following information on their conditions:

• Benjamin Flickinger, 18, a Cody High School senior and wrester who was driving the vehicle, was treated and released from Sage Hospital in Riverton.
   
• Passenger Dan Beaudrie, a Cody wrestler, suffered compression fractures to his spine, broken orbital sockets and bones under his nose. He reportedly lost most of his teeth and has severe facial fractures and lacerations, as well as a bruised and punctured lung. He was listed in critical condition at Billings Clinic Hospital on Monday.
   
• Passengers Charles Flickinger, 58, and Anna Flickinger, 9, were transported by air ambulance to Denver. Both have two broken legs.
   
• Passengers David Plumer and Jon Sanchez, also Cody wrestlers, are being treated at a Denver hospital. Plumer suffered a broken nose, broken toes and a fractured bone in his back; Sanchez has three breaks to his collarbone and bruising to his lungs.

The Highway Patrol report said it is believed all of the occupants of the vehicle were restrained by seat belts with the exception of Anna Flickinger.

The highway was closed from 11:40 p.m. until 1:07 a.m. due to the crash. The crash was still under investigation Monday, the report said.

A benefit fund has been established to assist the families. For more information, call Canfield at 307-899-6066.

Cody High School, crash, Wyoming Highway Patrol