A windstorm was to blame for multiple fatalities and a pileup of 40 to 60 vehicles on Interstate 55 in Illinois (Pictures: AP)
A massive dust storm caused multiple fatalities and a pileup of dozens of vehicles in south-central Illinois, according to cops.
The windstorm on Monday brought havoc to Interstate 55. About 40 to 60 passenger vehicles and several tractor-trailers were involved in crashes, said Illinois State Police Maj Ryan Starrick. Two of the tractor-trailers burst into flames.
There were ‘multiple fatalities’, said Starrick, but did not give a number.
More than 30 people were hurt and taken to hospitals after the crashes in the northbound and southbound lanes, he said.
‘The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility,’ said Starrick.
The highway was closed to through traffic in both directions in Montgomery County, which is about 75 miles north of St Louis.
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More than 30 people were injured and taken to hospitals in the pileup in Illinois.