Amid foggy and icy conditions on Sunday morning, a devastating pileup involving over 60 vehicles in Virginia left dozens of people injured.
The accident occurred on Interstate 64 near Norfolk just before 8 a.m., local time, when patchy fog and black ice were reportedly in the Queens Creek Overpass area. Virginia State Police confirmed 51 people were taken to regional hospitals, including 11 people who sustained serious injuries.
According to the police, 69 total vehicles were involved in the wreckage. Photos depicted firefighters and other emergency personnel standing on the hoods of mangled vehicles looking for people to rescue. Initial reports on Twitter stated that injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, but the 5 p.m. update from the state police confirmed that no fatalities or life-threatening injuries were reported.
Amtrak Police officer stands guard with travelers waiting in line at Union Station in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, as anxious Thanksgiving travelers buckled up and barreled headlong into a busy holiday week. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
“My thoughts are with all involved in the multi-vehicle accident near Williamsburg this morning,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam tweeted on Sunday. “Grateful for the emergency crews, first responders, hospital staff, @VSPPIO, and @VaDOT personnel who are working around the clock to keep people safe this holiday season.”
Bray Hollowell, a survivor of the pileup, told WTVR.com that the accidents were an “apocalyptic moment.” When the weather turned quickly, the foggy conditions dashed any hopes of visibility.
“It really just got really foggy really quick,” he said. “I just was driving on the bridge and then out of nowhere I see and accident and I just brake. And I couldn’t really do much to avoid, I just ran into people.”
Holloway said he considers himself lucky and fortunate to walk away uninjured.
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