At least 6 dead in huge pileup after drivers caught in blinding dust storm on Illinois highway
Posted: Tue May 02, 2023 5:26 am
Read more here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/illinois- ... -1.6828504
At least 6 dead in huge pileup after drivers caught in blinding dust storm on Illinois highway
A windstorm in south-central Illinois kicked up clouds of dust off farm fields Monday, blinding drivers, causing numerous crashes and killing at least six people on Interstate 55, police said.
The crashes occurred late in the morning and involved 40 to 60 passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said. The highway was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, about 120 kilometres north of St. Louis.
Starrick, who confirmed the fatalities, told reporters that it was a spring version of a "whiteout situation" typically seen in winter snowstorms.
"The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility," Starrick said at a news conference.
He said more than 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries following the crashes, which occurred in both the southbound and northbound lanes.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/illinois- ... -1.6828504
At least 6 dead in huge pileup after drivers caught in blinding dust storm on Illinois highway
A windstorm in south-central Illinois kicked up clouds of dust off farm fields Monday, blinding drivers, causing numerous crashes and killing at least six people on Interstate 55, police said.
The crashes occurred late in the morning and involved 40 to 60 passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said. The highway was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, about 120 kilometres north of St. Louis.
Starrick, who confirmed the fatalities, told reporters that it was a spring version of a "whiteout situation" typically seen in winter snowstorms.
"The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility," Starrick said at a news conference.
He said more than 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries following the crashes, which occurred in both the southbound and northbound lanes.