On August 13, 2024, at approximately 8:15 a.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to Great Bend Municipal Airport after receiving calls to 911 about an accidental electrocution in the area.

A roofing company was working on the main hangar near the terminal building. Upon arrival, rescuers discovered two victims. Investigation revealed that the two men were in a basket on a boom when they came into contact with high voltage power lines. One of the individuals managed to get to the roof and reach the ground. The second victim was still in the basket on the boom and was unresponsive. At 8:48 a.m., power was shut off and rescuers were able to reach the second victim. Both victims were transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital.

The first victim, Allistar Jose Sanchez, 24, of Wichita, suffered severe burns in the incident. He was later airlifted to a Wichita-area hospital. The second victim, Ivan Joel Mollins, 16, also of Wichita, was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Because the accident occurred on city property and involved a city building, Great Bend Police requested that the Sheriff’s Office conduct the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Great Bend Police Department, Great Bend Fire Department and EMS, and Midwest Energy.