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FREDERICKSBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a deadly pileup on Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
State police say Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania will be closed until at least midnight following a weather-related pileup involving at least 50 vehicles that killed three people and sent dozens to hospitals.
Police in Lebanon County said more than 40 people were taken to local hospitals and more than 70 to a warming shelter operated by the American Red Cross at a firehouse.
The crash happened about 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 78 in Bethel Township, about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three lanes of traffic and into the snow-covered median.
Trooper Adam Reed said investigators believe that “passing snow squalls” played a role in the crash.
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3:15 p.m.
State police say three people were killed in a weather-related pileup involving more than 50 vehicles on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania.
Trooper Justin Summa said an unknown number of critically injured patients were flown to six or seven hospitals and 70 more were transported by ambulance to other facilities.
He said several buses of stranded passengers were taken to a warming shelter at a firehouse in the area.
The crash happened about 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the interstate in Bethel Township, about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three lanes of traffic and into the snow-covered median.
Trooper Adam Reed said investigators believe that “passing snow squalls played a role in causing the crash.”
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2 p.m.
Multiple fatalities have been reported in a pileup police say involves more than 50 vehicles on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokesman Cory Angell said county officials reported more than 40 people had been taken to hospitals and more than 70 were taken to a shelter set up at a fire station.
The crash happened about 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the interstate in Bethel Township, about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three lanes of traffic and into the snow-covered median.
Drivers are being urged to use caution due to the drifting snow and extremely cold temperatures.
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1:45 p.m.
Multiple fatalities have been reported in a pileup police say involves more than 50 vehicles on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania.
The crash happened about 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the interstate in Bethel Township, about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three lanes of traffic and into the snow-covered median.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says an emergency operation center was activated and a shelter set up.
Agency spokesman Cory Angell said drifting snow has been reported in the area and officials are investigating whether that may have had something to do with the crash.
Angell said drivers are urged to use caution due to the drifting snow and extremely cold temperatures.
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11 a.m.
State police say a pileup involving more than 50 vehicles has closed Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania. Authorities say multiple injuries have been reported.
Police in Lebanon County said the crash happened around 9:45 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of the interstate in Bethel Township.
Police said troopers at the scene requested more ambulances for what were called “numerous injuries.”
The interstate is closed in both directions and police are detouring vehicles around the scene.