Cindy MacDougall
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 22/99) - A young man injured in a car accident Tuesday was medevaced to Edmonton Wednesday morning because of chest injuries.

Donna Zaozirny, director of operations at Stanton Regional Hospital, said the man was listed in serious but stable condition before the airlift to Edmonton.

"He has chest injuries that need to be looked at," she said.

The two other men injured in the accident, which happened on the Ingraham Trail near Giant mine, remained at Stanton Regional Hospital for treatment, Zaozirny said.

One is in serious but stable condition after surgery for facial injuries. The other is in stable condition with bone fractures.

The three men were driving towards Yellowknife in a truck at about 4 p.m. when the vehicle flipped into a ditch and rolled many times, according to deputy fire chief Mike Lowing.

Two of the men were thrown from the truck, while the driver had to be rescued from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life.

Yellowknife RCMP Const. Denise Potvin said no names have been released because the police are still investigating the accident.

She said one victim is a student at Sir John Franklin high school, while the others are former students.

The police do not believe the accident was alcohol-related.

"The type of vehicle may have been a contributing factor in the accident," she said.

The truck, which was jacked up on large wheels, may have been more difficult to control on the wet road, Potvin said.

Sir John Franklin vice-principal Al McDonald said the school was aware of the accident.

"We're very concerned for our students and the other young people involved

"We are ready for this," McDonald said, noting the school's three counsellors were available for any students with concerns.

Sir John Franklin students saw a presentation Monday morning by British Columbia chief coroner Larry Campbell about car accidents and risky behaviour.

McDonald said the timing was an unfortunate coincidence.

"This accident did not involve alcohol," he said. "It's just a pretty unfortunate accident."