An enormous 30-vehicle pileup on Yellowstone River Bridge in Billings, Montana, critically injured two individuals Saturday, authorities mentioned.
The individuals jumped from the bridge to keep away from being hit by a automobile, the Montana Highway Patrol tweeted. Each have been hospitalized and are anticipated to get better. Minor accidents have been additionally reported however no deaths.
“I might say that is the biggest pileup, and winter-time accident, that I’ve seen in my almost 20 years with the hearth division,” Billings Fireplace Chief Jason Lyon informed the Billings Gazette.
State Justice Division communications director Kyler Nerison mentioned the reason for the multivehicle crash was the “whiteout/zero visibility circumstances introduced on by a sudden snow squall.”
The lane on westbound I-90 the place the incident occurred was closed till about 4:30 p.m. whereas troopers investigated, Nerison mentioned.
Bella Contreraz informed the Gazette that she slammed on her brakes when she noticed autos stopped forward of her. An oncoming semi-truck struck her automobile quickly after, pinning her to the facet of the bridge. A driver close by helped her escape by prying open her door, she mentioned.
“It was like bumper automobiles,” Contreraz mentioned.
The Nationwide Climate Service in Billings issued a statement Saturday about heavy snow showers within the space, warning drivers that I-90 can be affected and that there would more than likely be slick street circumstances and reductions in visibility.