No fewer than six people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a huge pileup involving up to fifty vehicles, Mississippi County coroner’s office in Missouri confirmed on Thursday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mississippi County EMS believes a driver hit the brakes, causing a chain reaction on Interstate 57 near Charleston at around 8 am.
One cop described the tragedy as ‘the most horrendous accidents I’ve seen in my lifetime’.
The East Prairie Police Department officer added: ‘Prayers for all involved, families of the fatalities and all of those who seen things today that no human should have to endure. This will forever be etched in their memories.’
Police reported several 18-wheelers on fire, and at least one person was airlifted to receive medical care. Among those taken to hospital were two emergency responders, local news station KFVS reported. Several others were treated at the scene.
Director of the Charleston Department of Public Safety Robert Hearnes told local news station 23WIFR that: “As we approached the interstate, it was a very thick fog, you couldn’t – the visibility was less than 50 feet, so, the traffic had already backed up.
“We had multiple accidents on both sides of the interstate, the north and the southbound lanes were shut down.”
Several agencies worked to help and clear the scene, according to local authorities, while a mobile morgue was set up at a funeral home in Charleston.
The Scott City Fire Department described the incident as a ‘tragedy’.
In a statement, a spokesman said: ‘This morning our agency responded to a mutual aid request in Mississippi County on Interstate 57 at the 12 Mile Marker.
“Dozens of fire, ems, and law enforcement agencies responded to this mass casualty motor vehicle collision from Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky.
“Our agency was on scene for 6 hours before returning to Scott City. Towing operators from Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky are remaining on scene to assist with vehicle recoveries.
“Please keep the remaining personnel and towing operators on scene in your thoughts and prayers for their safety during this extensive cleanup operation.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families involved in this tragedy.”
