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3 Dead, Dozens Injured in Mile-Long Traffic Pileup in Detroit

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Casualty Count Still Uncertain

A MAJOR TRAFFIC PILEUP ON I-75 in Detroit, Michigan, Thursday morning left at least three people dead and approximately 30 more injured, some seriously.

AP

The incident happened around 9 am on the busy Interstate when a snow squall popped up and caused an instant whiteout.  As people started hitting their brakes, the slick road surface caused many of them to start skidding and at least three tractor-trailers jacknifed.

AP

A special call for 20 ambulances was placed for mutual aid from the surrounding areas.  At least 12 people have been hospitalized.

Along with the large triage called for, there were as many as 40 vehicles in various levels of damage along with hundreds of car parts scattered along the highway.  The Michigan State Police were able to start clearing some lanes out around noon to get traffic moving when a second whiteout descended over them and set the clearing operations back for a while.  The MSP say that it will now be at least 5 pm before traffic movement is fully restored.

AP

The Detroit News has the STORY.
The Associated Press has a good 15-image photo gallery HERE.

Hat tip:  Mark D.

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Posted by on January 31, 2013 • Filed under: rescue, Rescues • Tagged: ,

Deadly Multi-Vehicle Wreck, Fire in Germany

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Worst Auto Wreck Ever in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

AN EXTREMELY RARE SANDSTORM blew over Northern Germany Friday and led to one of the worst chain reaction crashes ever on a major freeway.  As the cloud of sand and dust swept across the highway, dozens of cars in both directions started crashing into each other with one pileup starting a fire from leaking gasoline.

all photos via DPA

When it was over, there were more than 40 autos and trucks completely wrecked with 17 cars and 3 trucks burned up.

At latest count, there were 10 people dead and 97 injured.  Most of the deaths were people entrapped in their cars who could not escape the growing fire.  Between 25 and 30 of the injured required hospitalization.

This has been adjudged to be the worst highway accident ever in the State of Mecklenburg -Vorpommern.  Experienced police officers said that it is the worst that they have seen.

The rare sandstorm was caused by a combination of a prolonged dry spell, high winds, and freshly-plowed fields.

The following videos graphically display the extreme conditions that the rescuers were working under:

 

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der Bild has the STORY.
Express.de has a 21-image photo gallery HERE.
First-due fire company, Feuerwehr Kavelstorff WEBSITE.

Hat tip:  Christian Lewalter

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Posted by on April 8, 2011 • Filed under: fire, Fire Rescue Topics, rescue, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: ,