Eight individuals died and dozens extra have been injured in what seems to be one of many deadliest accidents in Kansas in recent times.
At the very least 71 autos have been concerned within the dust-storm collisions on I-70 between Goodland and Colby in western Kansas, Kansas Freeway Patrol trooper Tod Hileman mentioned on social media.
“Throughout the Excessive winds that have been producing numerous blowing mud over the interstate, that was one of many areas that was affected the worst, as soon as troopers bought on scene they realized how main of an occasion this was,” Hileman mentioned in a publish. “Sadly eight individuals have misplaced their lives.”
The Kansas Freeway Patrol has arrange a particular line for anybody concerned within the crash or household or family members of individuals concerned within the crash to name at 785-827-4437.
The accident was reported at 3:22 p.m. Friday at milepost 28 in Sherman County. Officers have been nonetheless eradicating those that died from their autos on Saturday, Goodland Hearth Chief Brian James mentioned on Fb.
“I have to say yesterday was the hardest and most emotional draining expertise in my 22 years of being within the hearth service,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for the lives misplaced on this incident, however I’m grateful for those we might save.”
He mentioned there have been over 30 sufferers.
Images he shared confirmed some autos crushed. A number of semis have been concerned within the accident.
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The best wind in Goodland was a 56 mph gust at 3:25 p.m., in line with Kansas Mesonet. Wichita had gusts attain round that as nicely, and noticed low visibility on the highways at the moment.
Hileman posted a video on social media at 3:51 p.m. Friday that confirmed the dashcam of one other trooper going to a different accident about 30 miles south of the one on I-70. The white line on the highway was barely seen due to the blowing mud.
I-70, which runs west to east, would have had the grime and wind blowing nearly immediately throughout the freeway.
No particulars have been accessible Saturday afternoon about how the accidents occurred or which lanes have been concerned.
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