Nov 27, 2007 5:00 pm US/Eastern
More Problems On The Pa. Turnpike
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed in both directions after a crash involving several vehicles, including a tractor trailer.
CBS
An overturned
vehicle closed a portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike several hours after
it was reopened following a major crash Tuesday morning.
Traffic in the
westbound lanes of the turnpike near the Fort Washington exit was brought to a halt after the crash
just before 2 p.m. It is unclear if there were any injuries.
Just two hours earlier, the turnpike was
reopened after a series of accidents closed the roadway
in both directions between Willow Grove and Philadelphia at about 6:30 a.m.
State Police believe it all began when a tractor trailer traveling westbound
broke through a cement median and into oncoming traffic in the eastbound side
of the turnpike. A total of five vehicles were reportedly involved in the
crash.
Shortly after the first crash, police said there was a second accident involving
four additional vehicles.
Chopper 3 was over the scene as responding firefighters doused a pickup
truck that had burst into flames after one of the accidents.
At least one person was transported to Abington
Hospital with unknown injuries.
Further details were unavailable.
Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions for several hours while
crews worked to clear the scene. Both sides reopened just after 12 p.m.
Rush hour traffic on
secondary roads parallel to the turnpike throughout Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks County saw major delays as a result of the turnpike
mess.
Drivers stalled on
the turnpike for hours did whatever they could to pass the time, including
reading, listening to music and even clipping a few coupons.
"I wanted to go to work
early this morning, we're leaving for vacation tomorrow. Here I am," said commuter Lynn Messerschmidt.
The cause of the
massive crash remains under investigation.
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