On Highway 81 in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States, a fatal car accident occurred in which more than 40 vehicles were involved. At least three people were killed and dozens injured and evacuated to hospitals in the area.
Shawilkill County Investigator Dr. David J. Moylen confirmed the deaths of three people in the accident and noted that the treatment of the accident has not yet ended. He said the search at the scene of the accident continues and there are still burning vehicles, “I am afraid that the number of dead may be higher,” he said.
At least three people are reportedly dead after a 60+ vehicle pileup along Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania this afternoon.
The accident was due to reduced visibility due to a snow squall that was happening at the time. pic.twitter.com/KGVgVDk4VV
— Brent Watts WDBJ (@wattsupbrent) March 28, 2022
The Shilkill County Department of Emergency Services said the accident in northeastern Pennsylvania occurred around 10:30 a.m. Monday. John Blickley, deputy district emergency management coordinator, said officials believe the heavy snow that fell clouded the visibility and apparently contributed to the accident.
According to estimates by the emergency ministry and local police, the accident involved between 40-60 vehicles, including heavy trucks and trailers. Blickley said emergency crews evacuated about 20 wounded to hospitals. Three trucks carrying luggage and a number of private vehicles caught fire.
Pennsylvania State Police Officer David Bohm said this afternoon that police have not yet been able to investigate the accident as there is still a burning fire in a number of cars and trucks that collided. “We can do nothing as long as there is an active fire,” he said, adding that “there was a heavy snowstorm and the whole road was covered.”
He noted that in such a case what a driver should do is collide with something and get off the road. “If you keep driving fast on the highway, that’s what happens,” Bohm said.
The fire brigade operated at the scene of the accident as they regularly pumped water from the tankers of the fire engines, “In the middle of nowhere, you have to bring your own water… There is no fire hydrant anywhere.” Said one of the firefighters who worked at the scene.
Photo: Mike Moya, one of those involved in the accident
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