UPDATE: Police initially reported six deaths in a multi-vehicle crash in Missouri on Thursday. On Friday, that total was revised down to five.
(The Hill) – Five people died following a 47-vehicle pile-up on a Missouri highway on Thursday, according to reports.
Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker confirmed a sixth death Thursday night, according to local CBS affiliate KFVS, but the Missouri State Highway Patrol told local Fox 2 station Friday that the total was actually five. Officials had yet to release the names of the victims, Parker told CNN, but noted that “the recovery phase is over.”
The multi-vehicle crash happened Thursday morning, affecting the north and south lanes of Interstate 57.
Mississippi County Emergency Medical Services Director Zach Bolden said several people were treated at the scene while others, including one or two emergency responders, were taken to local hospitals, one person who was airlifted, according to KFVS.
Officials believe someone may have braked on the highway, triggering the crash, KFVS reported. Authorities noted foggy conditions when they arrived at the scene.
“Visibility would have been as low as 50 feet due to heavy fog in the area this morning,” the Missouri Department of Public Safety tweeted.
The Missouri Department noted that the freeway was closed in both directions following the incident.
“This is a major accident scene with multiple collisions and a fire involving multiple tractor-trailers and fatalities. Both directions of I-57 are closed. Extensive cleanup in progress and an ongoing investigation into the scene of a major accident/death by @MSHPTroperGHQ No estimate for the reopening of I-57”, the department tweeted.
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