January 5 at 3:40 a.m. in the County Westmoreland, about 50 km East of Pittsburgh, there was a major accident involving a passenger bus from new York, three trucks and a passenger car. The accident killed 5 people, wounded at least 60 in age from 7 to 52 years.
The victims were hospitalized. Much of the highway is blocked.
Stephen Limani, a spokesman for the state police in Pennsylvania, said at a press conference that the injuries, received injured in the accident, are not dangerous to their lives, but two of them are in critical condition.
25 people were taken to hospital Excel Hill. Nine of the victims were under the age of 18. One victim was transferred from Excel Hill to the nearest trauma center.
5 dead, 60 taken to hospitals from #PATurnpike crash involving tour bus, 3 tractor-trailers, and a private vehicle: our @BMayo_WTAE reports.@PAStatePolice plan 12:30 briefing. @WTAE will carry it live on air & online.
The Crash happened 40 miles from #Pittsburgh in Westmoreland Co pic.twitter.com/HMM7fKUoRG
— Janelle Hall (@JanelleHallWTAE) January 5, 2020
Limani said the bus, which belongs to the company Z & D Tours (new Jersey), came all the way from Rockaway (NJ) in Cincinnati (Oh). First he collided with two trucks, then crashed into another truck and a car. The accident occurred at the level of 86,1 miles on highway 76 near the city of mount pleasant township.
«It was something like a chain reaction,» said Limani.
«Personally, I have not seen accidents of this magnitude over the last 20 years», — said the official representative of the Turnpike in Pennsylvania Carl Defabo.
On Sunday, the national Council for transport safety said that the accident scene was directed investigative team.
At the request of local authorities causes of the incident are not yet known, and argue that weather was a major factor in the disaster, still early. The national weather service Westmoreland County reported that on Sunday morning are expected slight precipitation, but the temperature will drop below zero.
Angela Maynard, a truck driver from Kentucky, said the roads were wet from snow, but no significant icing. Maynard was driving Sunday morning on highway 76 and saw the consequences of the accident. She reported the incident to 911.
Multi-Vehicle Crash On Pa. Turnpike Leaves Multiple Dead, Dozens Injured https://t.co/O70Cx0Ye0N #OANN pic.twitter.com/QLaYqzVG2A
— One America News (@OANN) January 5, 2020
The highway remains closed in both directions. At the scene continue to work with the local fire and teams of emergency medical care, as well as the company, which is engaged in elimination of spills of fuel and other combustible materials.
