Luton, Walter

Four men were injured, at least one believed critically, when two cars collided this morning at a country road intersection near here. Apparently the worst hurt is Walter Stewart Luton, 43, of Treece Kansas. An attendant at Picher hospital described his condition as critical. Also hospitalized were J. D. Helmick, 30 year old Commerce Oklahoma man; George H. Taylor, 39, and Jesse Henry Saylor, 38, both of Picher. Saylor remained in the hospital early this afternoon. Both Helmick and Taylor, whose injuries were less serious, had been released. Cars operated by Luton, who has head and chest injuries, and Helmick crashed at the gravel crossing located a mile and one-half southeast of here. Both vehicles were demolished, according to Highway Patrolman Jack Lowry. The trooper said Helmick's view of the oncoming second car was blocked by a field of soy beans. He was traveling alone. Luton and the two other men are miners who were en route to work when the accident occurred shortly after 7 o'clock. The victims were brought to the hospital in a Thomas funeral home ambulance. The Helmick vehicle was traveling north and Luton was driving east before colliding.