At least six people have been killed and dozens injured in a heap of 133 vehicles in Texas after a huge ice storm made the roads dangerously slippery Thursday morning, authorities said.
The first crash occurred Wednesday at about 6:15 a.m. on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth. Vehicles, including 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles, slipped off the road and were still crashing into each other as the stack grew.
“The scene we saw today is probably different from what any of us have seen, and we pray to God that we will never see it again. Our hearts, our minds, our prayers go out to all who have been negatively affected. is being told by this tragic incident, “Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes told FOX 4 News.
Initial responses work at the scene of a fatal crash on I-35 near downtown Fort Worth on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Police say at least six people were killed and dozens injured in a major crash involving 75 to 100 vehicles in an icy Texas was involved. interstate. (Amanda McCoy / Star-Telegram via AP)
A significant ice storm stretched across the southern and midwestern U.S., covering Texas, the Ohio Valley, and the Appalachians, as it continued to move toward the Mid-Atlantic.
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The rare icy conditions on the road prepared drivers too little, which led to a catastrophic incident. The temperature was in the 20s during the initial accidents.
Initial responses work at the scene of a fatal crash on I-35 near downtown Fort Worth on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Police say at least six people were killed and dozens injured in a major crash involving 75 to 100 vehicles in an icy Texas was involved. interstate. (Amanda McCoy / Star-Telegram via AP)
The local service Med Star transported at least 65 people for treatment in local hospitals, reports The Dallas Morning News.
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A large number of victims were health workers and were reportedly found to be carrying their scrub and hospital weapon.
Hypothermia has emerged as a major source of concern as rescue efforts continue. Early responders found it difficult to reach potential victims due to the same icy conditions that caused the crash.
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Noakes said at least four police officers were injured during rescue efforts. The massive operation included 26 firefighting vehicles, 80 police vehicles and 13 ambulances in the half-mile crash zone.
Some lawmakers have questioned whether the area was salted or sanded before the crash, with reports suggesting the roads were not prepared.
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North Tarrant Express, a local agency that operates Interstate 35W, said maintenance teams began treating the lanes Tuesday morning in anticipation of inclement weather.
“This tragedy deserves an immediate and thorough investigation,” said State Representative Ramon Romero jr. Tweeted. “This bad weather was foreseeable and lives were lost because a private company did not maintain the end of the agreement.”
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Ramon said his office will investigate the allegations and work with the Texas Department of Transportation to determine the truth.