Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 29, 1994                   TAG: 9405300018
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Lisa Applegate
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THREE INJURED IN I-81 WRECK

The accident occured at mile marker 139, just south of Salem's Virginia 311 exit.

State Trooper Mike Keen said it appeared that a car driving south was forced into the northbound lane by a passing vehicle, and struck another car head-on.

Roanoke County Rescue Chief Woody Henderson requested a Salem Rescue Squad unit to assist in freeing two people trapped in one car.

Salem Rescue Lt. Steve Hickey said, "We had to cut the top off and roll the dashboard back" to free the passengers.

Those two were taken by Life-Guard 10 helicopter to Roanoke Memorial with severe head injuries. State police did not release the names of the injured late Saturday.

A hospital supervisor said both still were being evaluated and probably would be put in the neurotrauma unit.

She said the other person, who was taken to Roanoke Memorial by ambulance, had less severe injuries.