Two riders seriously injured in Hwy 26 two-motorcycle crash

A crash involving two motorcycles on Highway 26 east of Sandy Wednesday morning seriously injured both riders and closed the eastbound highway for about two hours, authorities said.

Around 8 a.m., troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving two motorcycles on Highway 26 near milepost 32, said OSP Lt. Bill Fugate.

Preliminary information indicates Marc R. Gibson, 65, of Oregon City was operating a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Highway 26 when he drifted left and struck the center cable barrier. Gibson was thrown from his motorcycle onto the highway.

A second rider, Vernon Henderson, 68, of Clackamas was operating a 2010 Harley Davidson and following Gibson when he crashed, Fugate said. Henderson was unable to avoid Gibson’s crashed motorcycle and struck it. He was then thrown from his motorcycle onto the highway.

Gibson was taken by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center and Henderson to the same hospital by ambulance. A house supervisor said both were in serious condition Wednesday evening.

The eastbound lanes of Highway 26 were closed for two hours while the scene was investigated. Traffic was rerouted for eastbound traffic.

OSP was assisted on scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Hoodland Fire District and American Medical Response.

The investigation is ongoing, Fugate said, and more information will be released when it is available.