An Illinois woman is in very critical condition following an accident on U.S. 30 at CR 450 East, Pierceton.

According to Kosciusko County Sheriff”s Department officers, a motorcycle crashed when witnesses say a rear wheel of the bike blew.

Upon arrival, emergency responders located the driver, Thomas C. Harwood, 44, Bourbonnais, Ill., and his wife, Paula M. Harwood, 39, had both been thrown from the motorcycle. Thomas suffered serious injuries to his head and extremities including extensive road-rash. Paula, who was believed to have been struck by the motorcycle as it was flipping as a result of the blown tire, was airlifted to Parkview Regional Trauma Center, Fort Wayne, in critical condition due to a severe head injury. KCSD Public Information Officer Sgt. Chad Hill says her injuries are very critical.

Neither victim was wearing a helmet and police say alcohol was not a factor.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team stated that the crash is still under investigation.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T./crash investigation team was assisted at the scene by the Pierceton Fire Department, Multi-Township E.M.S., Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police.