Alabama State Troopers responded to two separate accidents involving injuries Tuesday in Cherokee County.

The first occurred at 8:45 that morning on Highway 9 roughly four miles north of Piedmont and involved a 1999 Ford pickup, which left the roadway, then went down an embankment, crashed into a field, and finally came to rest in a small stream.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency accident report the driver was listed as 53 year old Ed Massey of Heflin, who managed to escape injury.  A passenger in that vehicle identified as 55 year old Anniston resident Ricky Bentley, was listed as being hurt, although no additional information was immediately available. 

Two people were hurt in a single-vehicle crash on County Road 22 later that day, at 3:15pm near the state line.

According to McCord’s Fire Chief Rich Lindsey, that vehicle had rolled over with both driver and passenger being trapped inside.  Both had to be extricated, in a joint effort by members of the McCord’s Fire Department and the Cherokee County Rescue Squad, with one of those victims being carried to a nearby landing zone, prior to being taken by LifeForce Helicopter to an area trauma center.

Those hurt were listed on the accident report as 29 year old Amanda Chamblee and 60 year old Betty Gowens, both of Centre.

No additional information regarding the extent of their injuries was noted on the report.

Both accidents remain under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.