JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — Jefferson County firefighters responded Saturday morning to a head-on crash on Highway 142 that sent both drivers to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the Jefferson Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived on scene around 8 a.m. and found the crash between an SUV and passenger car.

The drivers of both were trapped in their upright vehicles. The car was off the roadway but there was road blockage from the crash. As extrication began to free the drivers from the wreckage, medical helicopters were requested.

The driver of the SUV was reportedly extricated within 10 minutes and was transported from the scene by ambulance.

The driver of the passenger car was heavily entrapped and required a lengthy extraction with continued care by medical personnel from Litton Ambulance Service crew. After the driver was removed, they were taken to an awaiting Air Evac crew for transport to a trauma center.

Firefighters with the Belle Rive Fire Department, Webber Fire Protection District and the Dahlgren Fire Department were also called in to help.