At least three people were killed on a Pennsylvania highway Monday after a fiery collision involving more than 50 vehicles during a snow squall, authorities said.
Schuylkill County coroner Dr. David J. Moylan warned Monday afternoon that the death toll "could run higher" because the search of the scene hadn't yet been completed because of burning vehicles.
The fiery crash occurred on Interstate 81 at about 10:30 a.m. near Minersville, about 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia, John Blickley of the county's emergency management office, told USA TODAY. At least 20 people were sent to hospitals with injuries, he said.
Footage uploaded to social media showed an out-of-control tractor-trailer smash into a large dump truck, turning it nearly 180 degrees. Another large truck spewed black smoke and orange flames into the air and an SUV struck a passenger car sending the sedan spinning, narrowly missing its driver who stood on the shoulder of the highway shrouded in snow and fog.
The collision closed all lanes of I-81 north in Schuylkill County and highway message boards were redirecting traffic, said Ronald Young, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash and numerous local EMS, fire and police agencies are responding to the scene, police Lt. Adam Reed said. A number or tankers were on location to replenish water because there was no water source from hydrants.
WHAT IS A SNOW SQUALL? The weather phenomenon caused a whiteout in New York and Pennsylvania
Snowy conditions were making it difficult for emergency services to reach the scene, Blickley said.
Some people were trapped in their cars, Blickley said. Three tractor trailers were on fire and at least two other small fires were reported, he said.
Video shared on social media shows several tractor-trailers and other vehicles crashing into other stopped vehicles and onlookers watching black smoke and flames rising from what appeared to be a tanker truck. In one video, people off camera can be heard yelling as multiple vehicles are seen colliding in less than a minute.
Blickley said he expects portions of the interstate will be shut down "well into the morning hours" until police are able to complete their investigation and begin moving vehicles. He said more snow squalls are expected this afternoon.
The National Weather Service office in State College warned of snow squalls in central Pennsylvania and advised drivers to stay alert.
“The squalls will quickly reduce the visibility to under one-half of a mile and coat the roads with snow,” forecasters said, urging drivers to get off the road if possible or turn on hazard lights “and gradually slow down to avoid a chain reaction vehicular accident.”
Contributing: The Associated Press
Contact Breaking News Reporter N'dea Yancey-Bragg at nyanceybra@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg
