NORFOLK, Neb. -- Law enforcement in northeast Nebraska responded to a two-vehicle accident that sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries Monday afternoon. 

The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said they responded to the accident that was about two miles east of Norfolk on Highway 275. 

The accident happened when a pickup heading east, driven by a 27-year-old Wisner man, lost control because of the icy roads, crossed the center media and hit the rear tank of a Semi-truck tanker that was heading west. 

The driver and his passenger, a 33-year-old man from Howells, were seriously injured. They were taken to a Norfolk hospital by Norfolk Fire and Rescue. 

The Sheriff's Office said seatbelts were not in use in the pickup, but airbags did deploy. 

The semi driver was not injured.

According to witnesses at the scene, the semi driver took measures to avoid a head-on collision. 

SCSO said the westbound lanes on Highway 275 near South Eastwood were blocked for about an hour as law enforcement investigated and cleared the scene. 

The pickup was considered a total loss, while the tanker suffered serious damage. 

Stanton County Emergency Management assisted with traffic control at the scene.