PATOKA — Two drivers and a five-year-old child were airlifted Tuesday for treatment of life-threatening injuries they suffered in a head-on collision on US Highway 51 just south of the Patoka Tank Farm.

According to the Illinois State Police, around 4:43 p.m. Tuesday, a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Brayden Phillips, of Walnut Hill, crossed the center line and struck a vehicle being driven by 59-year-old Tammy Nordyke, of Vandalia, head-on.

Phillips and Nordyke were taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, as was a five-year-old passenger in the Nordyke vehicle.

All three were ultimately airlifted to regional hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Patoka firefighters had to extricate all three occupants from the vehicles, with the Nordyke vehicle requiring extensive efforts.

Phillips has been cited for improper lane usage.

The crash resulted in both lanes of Highway 51 being closed in that area for about two hours Tuesday.