Head-On Collision Near Seward Injures 2

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska State Troopers have named the drivers involved in a head-on collision near Seward Wednesday afternoon that left them seriously injured and medevaced to Anchorage by the Alaska Air National Guard.

AST spokesperson Megan Peters says the crash happened at about 12:10 p.m. Wednesday at Mile 4 of the Seward Highway, when a vehicle crossed the center line and hit another one, entrapping the two victims -- drivers Edward Jacobson of Seward and Dave Hamaker of Anchorage, both 61 years old.

Traffic on the Seward was slowed for several hours as troopers conducted an investigation of the crash, but Peters says at least one lane remained open throughout the afternoon.

According to Alaska ANG spokesperson Maj. Guy Hayes, the 11th Rescue Coordination Center received a U.S. Coast Guard request for assistance in medevacing Jacobson and Hamaker, who had sustained multiple life-threatening injuries -- including a fractured pelvis -- to Anchorage at about 2:45 p.m. A LifeMed Alaska helicopter had previously tried to pick up one of the men, but returned to base shortly after takeoff due to poor weather.