Uniontown man dies in downtown accident

A Uniontown man died following a one-vehicle accident Monday afternoon in downtown Fort Scott.

A Kansas Highway Patrol report said a 2003 Jeep Liberty driven by 63-year-old George Wilkinson, Uniontown, was traveling northbound in the alleyway of the 100 block of Second and State streets when it left the alleyway to the east and struck the Orange Grove Apartments building at 102 State.

The accident took place about 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Wilkinson was taken to the Mercy Hospital emergency room where he died Monday. Mercy spokeswoman Tina Rockhold said she could not comment on the cause of death, but did say the accident and death are not related.

A passenger in the vehicle, 4-year-old Bryan Wilkinson, the great-grandson of the driver, was listed in the KHP report as having a "possible injury," but was not transported to a medical facility.

Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

KHP Technical Trooper Rick Wingate said speed was not a factor in the cause of the crash and both occupants were found inside the vehicle.

He said the incident is still being investigated and it is believed the cause of death could possibly be health-related. An autopsy has been planned to help determine the cause of death.

The vehicle was traveling in the alleyway after leaving a nearby hardware store from the back door, Wingate said.

Services for Wilkinson are expected to be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel.