NEW BADEN, IL. (KMOX) - Two people were critically injured when their motorcycle blew a tire on I-64 in the Metro East.

The accident happened near the New Baden Exit (Rt. 161) before 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Illinois State Police tell KMOX News the motorcycle went into the shoulder after the rear tire blew.

ARCH Helicopters flew both the motorcycle driver and a passenger, a man and a woman, to St. Louis hospitals.

Their names have not been released.

The Interstate was closed for several hours.

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