Two men were killed and two other victims of a Saturday night crash on U.S. 301 South were airlifted to a Savannah Hospital, said Bulloch County Coroner Jake Futch.

      Georgia State Patrol Trooper First-Class Carl Hutchinson, who responded to the scene along with several other troopers shortly after 7:10 p.m., told the Statesboro Herald an Oldsmobile minivan was turning left onto U.S. 301 South from Oakwood Drive when it was broad sided by an 18-wheeler tanker rig.

      The accident took place near Newell Recycling, a short distance from the spot where two pedestrians were killed a couple weeks ago.

      Hutchinson said the driver of the minivan and a young passenger in the rear of the van survived, and were taken to East Georgia Regional Medical Center by EMS.

      The male passenger in the front seat, as well as a male passenger in the back of the van, were killed and pronounced dead at the scene, Futch said.

      After being taken to the hospital, both surviving victims were airlifted to a Savannah hospital. The survivor's injuries were critical, he said.

      Statesboro Herald photographer Scott Bryant was at the scene shortly after it occurred, on his way to an assignment to cover a basketball game in Metter. Hutchinson told Bryant the victims in the minivan were from Camden County, and were leaving to go home after a visit with family in  the area.

      Neither troopers nor Futch were able to release the victim's identities at Herald press time. There was also no word on the condition of the driver of the tanker.

      Further details will be published in Tuesday's Statesboro Herald and here on statesboroherald.com as updates are received.

      Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.