A devastating crash involving a staggering 35 vehicles, a mix of cars and big rigs, unfolded on a fog-laden segment of Southern California’s Interstate 5, resulting in a tragic outcome.
Occurring at approximately 7:30 am on a foggy Saturday morning, the collision west of Bakersfield left two individuals dead and sent nine others to hospitals with minor injuries, as confirmed by authorities.
Jim Calhoun, a spokesperson for the Kern County Fire Department, vividly recounted the chaotic aftermath when emergency crews arrived at the scene. “Visibility was roughly 10 feet,” Calhoun informed the press, describing the challenging conditions that further complicated the rescue efforts amidst the wreckage sprawled across nearly half a mile.
The magnitude of the accident was compounded by the involvement of 17 passenger vehicles and 18 large commercial trucks, creating a harrowing and extensive scene.
Calhoun recounted the initial moments, detailing the presence of ruptured compressed natural gas tanks on some of the big rigs.
California Authorities’ Ongoing Efforts
Calhoun recalled, underlining the dangers faced by both victims and Good Samaritans, “A lot of the bystanders that weren’t injured were trying to help people and were in a plume of natural gas, so we had to deal with that first and get everyone evacuated from that area.”
Responding swiftly to the calamity, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced plans to maintain the closure of southbound lanes overnight.
Cleanup operations were underway, with debris removal and an investigation into the precise cause of the catastrophic collision topping the priority list.
Despite attempts to obtain immediate information from Caltrans regarding the incident, no response was available at the time of inquiry on Sunday.
The aftermath of this horrific event in California, which resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that inclement weather poses to drivers.
The community laments the lives lost and prays for the quick recovery of those hurt in this tragic pileup while California authorities attempt to clear the debris and identify the reasons behind this horrible occurrence.
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