The driver, Lon E. Sowers, was taken to Citizen's Medical Center in Colby and later flown to another hospital after the collision at 5:01 p.m. on Thomas County Road 27, said Tod Hileman, public resource officer for Kansas Highway Patrol Troop D. Sowers' condition and location could not be confirmed.

The oxen, which Sowers has driven in several area parades, apparently were not badly injured, Hileman said. He said one of the animals fell down but got back to its feet, and the team was walked back to Sowers' farm. He said a trooper checked on the animals later and found them eating.

According to a highway patrol report, Sowers was driving his cart north on Road 27 when the semi driven by Terry M. Wendell, 62, Colby, attempted to pass on the left. Sowers began to turn the cart left as the semi attempted to pass, and they collided.