On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a fiery multi-vehicle collision involving a tanker and numerous other vehicles resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the injury of a third.
On the North East Extension (I-476) within Worcester Twp., along the Mid-County and Lansdale exits, it occurred late on Saturday morning.
Between those exits, all lanes of the roadway are closed, and Turnpike officials anticipate that they will remain closed for a long time.
People who were evacuated from Shady Lane and Oak Terrace are now being allowed to return to their houses by officials.
Chopper 3 flew over the accident to record firefighters battling to put it out.
For motorists snarled in traffic, the PA Turnpike Alerts provided the following bulletin cautioning them to remain in their vehicles.
At 1:23 p.m., they updated their congestion update by stating that staff were slowly u-turning vehicles to the gate at mile marker 23.
PA Turnpike Alert announced on X that, regrettably, traffic was unable to be released to the north due to the fire’s recurrent nature and the bridge’s damaged roadway, which required inspection to determine its suitability for vehicular traffic. PA Turnpike further stated that technicians were en route with the necessary tools to start removing the center barrier in order to facilitate the U-turn operation.
Crews are u-turning vehicles to gate at mile 23. This is a slow process. Unfortunately traffic can not be released north due to fire keeps reigniting & also damage to roadway/bridge that needs inspected to make sure it is safe for vehicle travel. Crews are now en-route with…
— PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) October 21, 2023
Dialing *11 to reach the Turnpike’s Traffic Operations Center was urged for anyone in line traffic suffering an emergency.
According to Larry Booze, operations center manager for the turnpike, the mishap, which included flammable liquid, was reported to turnpike personnel at 10:26 a.m. According to him, the northbound and southbound tracks between the Montgomery County routes were shut down as of 12:30 p.m. and were probably going to stay that way for some time.
It was supposed to be a very lengthy closure, according to Booze. He stated that he was unable to comment on any wounds.
At mile 23 there is an emergency access barrier being used to turn some drivers around. According to information obtained by a source, authorities were also trying to get rid of some concrete obstacles to allow highway vehicles to be turned around.
Before then, vehicles had stopped, and people were strolling dogs along the shoulder. A soccer ball was being kicked around by two young people. Some people were climbing over the road barrier to run and extend their legs in the restricted southbound lanes, which were vacant.
PA Turnpike’s Advises To Follow The Routes
PA Turnpike advisable to take this detour because southbound transport will be redirected at the Lansdale exit:
- Go 0.2 miles east on Route 63 (Sumneytown Pike).
- To stay on Route 63 East, make a left along Forty Foot Road after 1.7 miles.
- To keep going on Route 63 East, make a right at Welsh Road after 6.5 miles.
- After 5.4 miles, take toward Route 309 South.
- Re-enter the Turnpike (I-276) at Exit 339 for Fort Washington.
It is advised from the PA Turnpike that northbound traffic take this detour:
- I-276 East for 5.1 miles.
- 5.4 miles if you take Route 209 North.
- 6.5 miles on Route 63 West
- Route 63 West can be reached by using Forty Fort Road for 1.7 miles.
- Route 63 West can be reached by using Sumneytown Pike for 0.2 miles.
- Re-enter the Turnpike (I-476) at Exit 31 in Lansdale.
Due to the northbound incident I-476 South is CLOSED at Lansdale Exit # 31. Detour ⬇ pic.twitter.com/ZpWp1PW98H
— PA Turnpike Alerts (@PATurnpikeAlert) October 21, 2023
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