Posted on 01/05/2020 1:19:54 PM PST by rightwingintelligentsia
MT. PLEASANT, Pa. — The eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike are back open after a crash involving three tractor trailers, a tour bus and a car.
First responders were calling it a “mass casualty incident.” Emergency crews said five people were killed and roughly 60 people were taken to area hospitals with injuries.
25 people were taken to Excela Frick Hospital in Mount Pleasant ranging in age from 7 to 52-years-old. Nine of those patients were under the age of 18.
Officials said 11 patients were taken to Forbes hospital. Two of them were in critical condition. One patient was transferred to Allegheny General Hospital. The remainder of the patients at Forbes were listed in fair condition and ranged in age from 15 to 67.
UPMC reported they received 22 patients from the Turnpike crash. 18 were treated at UPMC Somerset and released. Three patients were taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and one child was transported to UPMC Children’s.
(Excerpt) Read more at wpxi.com ...
Horrible
Ping.
May have been sleet. Possibly driving too rapidly for the downslope curve with icy patches. And all the other vehicles were following too closely for the weather and sporadically changing road conditions at the time. Double or triple spacing between each vehicle may have been beneficial.
I’ve been travelling that road and most other highways in PA for many years; mass accidents are, sadly, common in winter weather. Same goes for multiple fatality accidents. Winter driving in this state is NOT for rookies or the faint of heart.
I HATE driving on the PT- very narrow lanes and speeding trucks/cars.
Besides, driving secondary roads to avoid the turnpike takes you through beautiful countryside.
Spacing and lower speeds are ALWAYS beneficial regardless of conditions, moreso in winter. Too bad many people are vastly overconfident in their abilities.
:: “mass casualty incident.” ::
We must outlaw assault tour busses.
I-81 in PA is especially treacherous, especially between Scranton and Harrisburg. Narrow lanes, lots of hills and tractor trailers everywhere.
It cost a truck approximately $260 to travel that road its length. It is a money dream for the administrators. You would think they could afford to spend some of that cash on maintaining the highway...especially in winter. Maybe have hundreds of plow trucks, salt trucks, and grit trucks. But no...I guess their retirement benefits are the priority. Pathetic.
Been on that road many times , and not surprise at all. Always thought that was very dangerous and could never really relax.
Some of the truckers and cars often were going too fast on the big curvy down hills.
When my daughter had her permit, I gave her a lesson in stress driving. PA Turnpike, rush hour, full size van.
She handled it well and I never worried about her driving again.
The other thing is that this part of the Turnpike is tight, with eastbound and westbound are separated by a Jersey Barrier and the headlights from opposite traffic are right in your eyes...the Road was built in 1940..
The section from Hazelton to Ravine is horrid in bad weather...fogged in or pelting rain/snow and the condition of the road isn’t the best. Drove back that way in October and it was a PITA.
Truth. I lived in PA before and those roads get dicey during winter.
“Too bad many people are vastly overconfident in their abilities.”
People should have to spend time on a humiliation course before they are given a license.
Agreed. I often drove PA-31 and US-30 from Western Pennsylvania to Breezewood instead of the Turnpike.
I-81 in PA is especially treacherous, especially between Scranton and Harrisburg. Narrow lanes, lots of hills and tractor trailers everywhere.
Once got caught on that stretch was weekend after Thanksgiving Freezing rain coated road with ice. Next day was start of deer season - a sacred holiday in PA
Could not find anybody from DOT as all were in their hunting cabins
Had to wait for hours until rounded up enough DOY workers to salt/sand the roads
I-81 in PA is especially treacherous, especially between Scranton and Harrisburg. Narrow lanes, lots of hills and tractor trailers everywhere.
Once got caught on that stretch was weekend after Thanksgiving Freezing rain coated road with ice. Next day was start of deer season - a sacred holiday in PA
Could not find anybody from DOT as all were in their hunting cabins
Had to wait for hours until rounded up enough DOY workers to salt/sand the roads
I told my kids that I wasn’t worried about their driving so much as everyone else on the roads. Doesn’t matter how good of a driver you are unfortunately. Yes, I am aware driving defensively is a must, but you cannot always compensate for others.
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