MIDDLETOWN — I-91 southbound remains closed between exits 20-25 due to a crash involving 4 tractor trailers and 26 cars around 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The Cromwell fire department along with the towns of Rocky Hill and Westfield responded to the crash Saturday afternoon says Cromwell Fire Chief Michael Terenzio. He said there was a significant crash, along with additional separate simultaneous motor vehicle accidents on both sides of I-91.
The main accident occurred just over the Mattabassett River Bridge just over the Cromwell/Middletown line. It involved 4 tractor trailers and 26 cars. The trucks included a tanker truck, a flatbed, a car carrier truck, and a box freight truck. The saddle tank on one of the trucks was struck and dumped approximately 125 gallons of diesel. Environmental officials and a clean up company were on the scene to address the spill.
Chief Terenzio says the degree of the vehicle involvement ranged from serious to minor. Four extrications were needed for some of the cars, while other occupants from other cars were able to leave on their own.
The cab section of one of the tractor trailers involved was hanging over the embankment of the Mattabassett River Bridge and needed to be stabilized.
Other accidents north of the main accident in Rocky Hill involved two vehicles off the roadway and into the wooded areas next to the highway.
Ambulances were called to the scene due to the number of injuries. The Cromwell Fire Department says initial estimates of injuries was in excess of 21 people, but no exact number of victims was immediately available.
No life-threatening injuries were sustained.
There are also other crashes along the highway causing delays.
Police will investigate to determine the exact cause of the crash but it started to snowing across Connecticut late Saturday morning. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for most of the state. Get the latest forecast here.
Stay with FOX 61 as this story develops.
