Smoky ‘superfog’ leads to horrific 158-vehicle pileup in Louisiana, killing 7 | Video

A “superfog” of smoke along with dense fog led to multiple massive car crashes involving around 158 vehicles on I-55 interstate on Tuesday morning (Oct 24) in which at least seven people were killed in Louisiana, informed the authorities. The “superfog” of smoke was believed to have been created from marsh fires in south Louisiana.

At least 25 people suffered injuries and the number of fatalities only increased as the first responders worked towards clearing the crash scenes and searching for victims, said Louisiana State police, in a press release on Monday evening.

A Dense and dangerous fog/smoke caused a pileup of over 25 vehicles in Manchac,Louisiana.

First responders reported that approximately more than 25 vehicles were involved

2 individuals died and another 30 suffered injuries #Fog #Crash #Louisiana #Manchac #Cars #vehicle #EMT pic.twitter.com/4fJRRshAA5 — North X (@__NorthX) October 23, 2023

A call for blood donors was issued by Governor John Bel Edwards as he appealed for prayers “for those hurt and killed”.

The videos of the wreckage displayed what appeared like an endless junkyard of cars that piled up on the busy interstate, close to the community of Manchac.

We are seeing aftermath video of the fiery crash on I-55 Southbound between Ruddock and Manchac. Lord have mercy#louisiana @MargaretOrr pic.twitter.com/Ssl5Sf6Z3M — Force Multiplier (@EarnestCarter) October 23, 2023

The vehicles appeared crushed and rammed against each other, some of the cars were also engulfed by flames. The bystanders, on the roadside, were seen looking at the disastrous scene in disbelief, while many people continued sitting in their cars and waiting for aid to arrive.

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'Kept hearing crash sounds for 30 minutes'

Among the drivers stuck in one of the pile-ups was 41-year-old Christopher Coll. “I was already on the brakes, slowing down when an F-250 drove up on top of my work trailer and took me for a ride,” said Coll, while speaking to the Times-Picayune/the New Orleans Advocate.

Describing the crash to the Times-Picayune/the New Orleans Advocate, Clarencia Patterson Reed stated, “It was: ‘Boom. Boom.’ All you kept hearing was crashing for at least 30 minutes.”

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Aerial photos of the crash were shared by Louisiana state police on Facebook page which showed dozens of crashed cars and extensive debris on both southbound and northbound lanes of the elevated interstate.

The state troopers stated that they were still working “to notify families, investigate the exact causes of the crashes” and co-ordinated with the transportation department of the state to have the bridge inspected.

The National Weather Service, taking to social media, said that there were multiple wetland fires in the region. The fog mixed with the smoke of the fires which created a “superfog”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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