Two motorcyclists transported to hospitals by air after hitting SUV near Noel

Two motorcyclists were seriously injured and transported for treatment by air after hitting an SUV on Missouri 90 a mile east of Noel in McDonald County around 2:25 Thursday afternoon.

The Missouri State Highway accident report says the wreck occurred when two eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycles operated by 43-year-old Nicholas Helt and 51-year-old Damon Helt, both of Rogers, Ark., crossed the centerline to pass another vehicle and struck a westbound Ford Explorer operated by 27-year-old Robert Pinales of Noel.

Nicholas Helt was transported by air to Mercy Springfield.

Damon Helt was transported by air to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark.

Neither rider was wearing a safety helmet at the time of the accident.

Pinales was not injured.