A mixture of dense fog and fireplace smoke, known as “superfog,” engulfed a stretch of Interstate 55, roughly 30 miles northwest of New Orleans Monday morning, inflicting a large pileup that killed at the very least seven folks and injured over 25 others.
It’s unclear which collision sparked the string of collisions that included 25 totally different crashes within the northbound and southbound lanes at three totally different factors alongside the freeway. Aerial footage confirmed a freeway blocked by destruction. Fog mixed with smoke close by from marsh fires severely decreased highway visibility and precipitated drivers to crash 158 automobiles, together with three tractor-trailers. Two vehicles ended up catching fireplace, based on WVUE. At least one car was despatched over the railing of the Manachac Swamp Bridge into the water beneath.
Because of the low visibility, the Louisiana State Police are asking folks concerned within the crashes to determine themselves to account for everybody. First responders are combing by way of every crashed car to make sure they’re unoccupied. The influence portion of I-55 stays shut and gained’t reopen till a injury evaluation is accomplished. Lance Scott, a driver concerned, instructed WVUE:
“I’ve never seen a crash like this. I mean I’ve traveled south Louisiana for quite some time and I’ve seen fog, but the pocket of fog we saw coming over the Manchac Bridge… It was like something you’d see in the Central Valley of California. It was total fog. Couldn’t see in front of you.”
If you’re ever caught in the same state of affairs, make sure to do every part in your energy to remain secure. First, flip in your headlights. It will barely enhance your visibility whereas making you extra identifiable to different drivers. Second, cut back pace. Giving your self extra time to react in unpredictable circumstances is important. Driving in low visibility is not any joke.
Source: jalopnik.com