BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County deputy jailer and two inmates were injured early Thursday morning when a transport vehicle crashed on Route 645 near Eden Elementary School.

The van, en route from the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville to court in Inez, was traveling south when it hydroplaned, struck a rock embankment and came to rest on the shoulder of the road, officials said.

Emergency responders from Martin County REACT & Rescue and the Inez Volunteer Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to free the deputy jailer and both prisoners from the wreckage.

Patriot Ambulance Service transported all three to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

By Friday, officials confirmed that both inmates were back in the custody of the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.

Kentucky State Police Post 9 investigated but did not release a statement.