Several people were admitted to hospital after a fatal crash involving several semi-trucks and passenger vehicles on a highway near Oklahoma City, according to Connor Hansen of Fox 25.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety reportedly told Hansen that the highway could be closed for up to 8 hours.
FORT WORTH ACCIDENT LEAVES 6 DEAD, DOZEN INJURED IN 133 VEHICLE HOUSING ON INTERSTATE AFTER ICE STORM
The agency said in a tweet that the accident took place on the Turner Turnpike westbound near Post Road and that traffic was being diverted to Hogback Road. West traffic is diverted to the Kickapoo Turnpike and eastbound Turner Turnpike traffic is diverted to the 35 Interstate Highway.
“Just a reminder – do not come out if you do not have to,” the agency warned.
The Oklahoma National Guard confirmed in a tweet that guards are at the scene transporting injured motorists and providing emergency assistance as needed.
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The crash comes after Oklahoma declared a state of emergency for its 77 counties due to inclement weather.
“Conditions range from light snow to heavy snow, which drifts over the highways of Oklahoma this afternoon, causing further travel delays,” the state Department of Transportation said in a 16:00 version. “The crew of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation continues to do plowing and clearing work and is asking the public to delay the trip until evening, as this is probably the worst point for conditions since the onset of the storm.”
If travel is required, motorists are asked to stay about 200 meters behind the cleaning equipment, allow extra space between vehicles to provide adequate braking, and be patient and give extra time to reach destinations.
The crash in Oklahoma City, which is being blamed under icy conditions, is the latest in a series of accidents in recent days, including the deadly congestion of 133 cars in Forth Worth, Texas, which left six people dead and dozens more injured.
This is an evolving story. Check back for updates.