A scene from the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 on Monday in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States (Photo: CNN)
Eko Hot Blog reports that least six people were killed Monday when a dust storm caused more than 70 vehicles to crash along a major highway in central Illinois, according to officials in the US state.
The crashes along Interstate 55 happened shortly before 11 a.m. CT (5 p.m. Nigerian time) in Montgomery and Sangamon counties south of the state capital after dust from newly plowed fields took over the highway, police said. The state capital, Springfield, is in Sangamon County.
Six people were killed and 37 people were hospitalised with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, Illinois State Police said. Those injured in the wrecks ranged in age from 2 to 80 years old, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said.
One of those killed in the wrecks was Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, police said Monday evening.
Officials still were working to identify the five others who were killed and notify their families, police said.
Seventy-two vehicles were involved in the crashes, which happened along a 2-mile stretch of I-55, police said. Two semi trucks also caught fire, Starrick said.
A scene from the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 on Monday in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States (Photo: CNN)
The wrecks happened in both north and southbound lanes, but all the deaths were reported in northbound lanes, he said.
The interstate in southern Sangamon and northern Montgomery counties would remain closed as officials investigate and clear vehicles, he said. It remained closed late Monday.
“The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility,” Illinois State Police said in a news release.
CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said 45 mph winds picked up the dust and suddenly made it nearly impossible to see on the short stretch of highway.
“The deciding factor today was the tilled fields,” he said. “This was a localised event by localized conditions.”
The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a “blowing dust warning” at 1:25 p.m. CT. (7.25 p.m. Nigerian time).
“Severely limited visibilities are expected. Travel will be dangerous and possibly life-threatening,” the warning stated. Winds across the region have been gusting between 35 and 45 mph.
The warning went on to say that people with respiratory problems should plan to stay inside until the storm passes. It noted to “be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero.”
Source: CNN
Click to watch our video of the week:
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors…
Two men have been killed in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State,…
Six men connected to Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba are set to stand trial…