‘Several’ people killed and at least 30 hospitalized after 40-car mass pile-up on Illinois Interstate 55 during dust storm
“Several” people have been killed and at least 30 hospitalized after a dangerous dust storm led to a massive traffic jam on Interstate 55 south of Springfield, Illinois.
State police said at least 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved in the accident. It is not yet known how many people died.
Part of the highway in between had to be closed and traffic diverted. It is expected to be closed until Tuesday afternoon.
Officials have set up a reunification station for families of accident victims at the town hall in Divernon, a small town near the highway.
Videos and photos posted to social media show plumes of smoke and mutilated vehicles – and there were reports of explosions.
Shocking images of the aftermath show plumes of smoke and mutilated vehicles on the road
State police said at least 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved in the accident
Officials have set up a reunification station in Divernon for families of accident victims
Illinois State Police said the pileup involved 40 to 60 passenger cars
A dust storm is the cause of a major pile-up on a highway in central Illinois on Monday
Interstate 55 has been closed in both directions from mileposts 52-80 following the incident
More than 30 people have been taken to hospital after a dust storm led to a massive buildup
The highway closures are northbound and southbound between mileposts 63 and 80, stretching from southern Sangamon County to northern Montgomery County.
“Interstate 55 in southern Sangamon counties and northern Montgomery remains closed in both directions due to numerous accidents caused by a dust storm, which has greatly reduced visibility,” the state department of transportation said in a tweet.
This is a developing story and will be updated.