Youths not wearing helmets, seatbelts when UTV collided with semi: Manitoba RCMP

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Two boys were rushed to hospital after a collision involving a utility task vehicle (UTV) and a semi-truck on a Manitoba highway.

Mounties say they were called to the crash Monday at 11:15 a.m. on Highway 244 near Rathwell, Man.

Officers arrived to find a semi-truck on the shoulder facing northbound and a UTV lying in the ditch on the west side of the road.

Police say their early investigation found a teenage boy was driving the UTV with a younger boy on board as a passenger.

According to police, they were headed north on the highway when a semi-truck moved into the passing lane, but the UTV made a sudden turn across the road in front of the semi. It was then struck by the semi near Road 41 North, officers say.

According to RCMP, neither boy was wearing a seatbelt or a helmet.

The driver of the UTV was airlifted to hospital in critical condition, while the other boy was taken to hospital by EMS in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

Both their conditions have since been upgraded to stable, police say.

The driver of the semi was not hurt, and alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

RCMP continue to investigate.