REDWOOD FALLS -- A 53-year-old Redwood Falls man was airlifted with head injuries to a Minneapolis hospital Tuesday after a motorcycle crash on U.S. Highway 71/19 near Redwood Falls.
Bradley K. Gniffke was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis after he crashed his 2007 Yamaha motorcycle around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at an intersection of Highway 71/19 near Redwood Falls.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol report, Gniffke was driving eastbound on Highway 71/19 behind a 2006 Sterling semi tractor when the semi driver -- Alan P. Klein, 50, of Sauk Rapids -- signaled to make a right turn. The semi swung left into the turn lane to negotiate the right turn and Gniffke was in the same lane trying to pass.
Gniffke braked to avoid a collision but the motorcycle's rear end swung around causing Gniffke to crash. The semi and motorcycle never made physical contact in the accident.
Gniffke was transported to the Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls with head injuries and a broken shoulder before he was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital. According to the State Patrol, Gniffke was not wearing a helmet.
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The Redwood County Sheriff's Office and the Redwood Falls Police Department assisted the State Patrol at the scene of the accident.
