Three people were killed and dozens injured on Monday morning in a massive pileup on a snowy Interstate 81 near Minersville, Schuylkill County.Up to 60 vehicles were involved in the crash that turned the stretch of road between the Tremont/Tower City exit and Highridge Park Road into a chaotic smoking scene. At least 24 people were taken to the hospital. Watch the video above to see aerial shots of the huge pileup.Number of I-81 fatalities could rise The coroner said three people had been killed in the huge crash, but the number could increase because a search could not be completed due to numerous burning vehicles.I-81 is still closed in the area this morning. It’s been more than 20 hours since the crash happened. Around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police tweeted that cleanup is only about half done and people should avoid the area.Pennsylvania State Police said the huge crash was caused by a snow squall.”The snow came out of nowhere. I was just driving back and then could see only one car in front of me and then it went fully white, I couldn’t even see three feet in front of me,” said witness Lillie Weaver. “I was hearing loud bangs, explosions and then I saw the smoke. That was the one thing I could see was black smoke from the tractor-trailer.” The Red Cross was called in to assist people caught up in the crash.Second huge crash in central Pennsylvania this monthMonday’s crash is the second time this month there has been a big chain reaction crash on a central Pennsylvania road. On Saturday, March 12, 70 cars, SUVs, trucks and tractor-trailers were involved in a huge crash on Route 581 in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County. Crews at the scene told WGAL that a snowstorm may have played a role.No one was killed in that crash, but some people were treated for injuries.A man with a roadside assistance company took a three-minute walk through the wreckage. You can see that video below.Stay with WGAL for updates on this developing story.|| Download the WGAL app | Get breaking news email alerts ||
Three people were killed and dozens injured on Monday morning in a massive pileup on a snowy Interstate 81 near Minersville, Schuylkill County.
Up to 60 vehicles were involved in the crash that turned the stretch of road between the Tremont/Tower City exit and Highridge Park Road into a chaotic smoking scene. At least 24 people were taken to the hospital. Watch the video above to see aerial shots of the huge pileup.
Number of I-81 fatalities could rise
The coroner said three people had been killed in the huge crash, but the number could increase because a search could not be completed due to numerous burning vehicles.
I-81 is still closed in the area this morning. It’s been more than 20 hours since the crash happened.
Around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police tweeted that cleanup is only about half done and people should avoid the area.
Pennsylvania State Police said the huge crash was caused by a snow squall.
“The snow came out of nowhere. I was just driving back and then could see only one car in front of me and then it went fully white, I couldn’t even see three feet in front of me,” said witness Lillie Weaver. “I was hearing loud bangs, explosions and then I saw the smoke. That was the one thing I could see was black smoke from the tractor-trailer.”
The Red Cross was called in to assist people caught up in the crash.
Second huge crash in central Pennsylvania this month
Monday’s crash is the second time this month there has been a big chain reaction crash on a central Pennsylvania road.
On Saturday, March 12, 70 cars, SUVs, trucks and tractor-trailers were involved in a huge crash on Route 581 in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County. Crews at the scene told WGAL that a snowstorm may have played a role.
No one was killed in that crash, but some people were treated for injuries.
A man with a roadside assistance company took a three-minute walk through the wreckage. You can see that video below.
Stay with WGAL for updates on this developing story.
|| Download the WGAL app | Get breaking news email alerts ||
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism