Fifty-One People Injured In Huge 69-Car Pile-Up In Virginia

At least 51 people have been left injured after a huge multi-vehicle pile-up on a highway in the state of Virginia, US.

In total, 69 vehicles were involved in the crash, shutting down traffic in York County.

PA

Police initially said 35 people were taken to hospital but later updated that number to 51 - the severity of the injuries range from 'minor to life-threatening' but authorities have said no fatalities have been reported.

An investigation into what caused the chain-reaction collision has been launched, but police have said it was foggy and icy near to the Queens Creek bridge, where the incident happened.

Eyewitness Bray Hollowell told NBC News: "I think it still would have been an initial accident, but I don't think there would have been as bad of a pile-up if there wasn't fog. I would have seen that accident and braked far before."

He went on to say that he saw people attempting to exit their cars to try and stop more vehicles from driving down the road into the wreckage.

PA

"There was one lady to the left of me and she tried to get out of her car too soon," he said. "And she had her door open, and she was hit by another car."

On Facebook, the Virginia State Police released a statement, which read: "At 7.51am Sunday, Virginia State Police received the first calls about a multi-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of I-64 on the Queens Creek bridge near the 239 mile marker.

Williamsburg Flight Center

"Due to icy conditions on the bridge and severe fog, the crashes continued in both the westbound and then the eastbound lanes of I-64.

"At this stage of the extensive crash investigation, state police have confirmed that at least 69 vehicles were involved in the crashes that occurred in both directions of I-64.

PA

"No charges have been placed at this time, as the multiple crash investigations remain ongoing.

"At least 51 individuals from those vehicles were transported to regional hospitals, to include Riverside Doctors' Hospital in Williamsburg, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

"The majority of injuries were minor, with 11 individuals being treated for serious injuries. There are still no reported fatalities related to the crashes."

All lanes on I-64 were closed for a number of hours, before being reopened at 4pm local time.

Topics: US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19