A morning journey across Lake Marion turned into a major rescue operation on Thursday, October 1, after a pile-up involving about 40 vehicles blocked the southbound I-95 bridge near Santee, South Carolina. One person was airlifted and several others were taken to hospital with minor injuries, according to Santee fire officials.
The crash was reported just before 9 a.m. near mile marker 100. Cars and tractor-trailers were caught in the wreckage, at least one vehicle caught fire, and emergency crews closed both directions of the interstate while responding to the scene.
The Santee Fire District chief put the number of vehicles involved at 40, according to Live 5 News. Clarendon County Fire Rescue initially reported at least 30 vehicles, indicating that the total was still being established during the response.
Trapped motorist and vehicle fire complicate rescue
Four tractor-trailers were involved, and responders reported at least one person trapped. The combination of damaged vehicles and a fire left crews dealing with both rescue work and a substantial clearance operation on the lake crossing.
In an update carried by Fox Carolina from WIS News 10, Santee fire officials said one person had been transported by helicopter. Several people with minor injuries were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No fatalities had been reported in that update. The condition of the person flown from the scene was not disclosed, and a complete injury count was not available.
Northbound lanes subsequently reopened, but southbound traffic remained blocked in the latest available reports. Officials urged motorists to avoid the area, seek alternative routes and prepare for major delays.
Fog reported, but cause remains unconfirmed
Heavy fog was reported near Lake Marion shortly after the crash, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, as cited by WLTX. The station reported that the crash scene began near mile marker 100 and extended at least a mile back.
A witness also described multiple tractor-trailers and other vehicles colliding in foggy conditions, ABC News 4 reported. However, the available reports did not establish what triggered the first collision or confirm fog as the official cause.
As with the Bruce Highway bus crash near Bowen, early accounts of the scale of the wreckage must be distinguished from confirmed information about casualties.
Southbound drivers were being diverted near mile marker 102. Officials had not provided a reopening time, with several vehicles still needing to be removed from the interstate.
This is a developing story. Vehicle totals, injury information and road conditions reflect the reports available on October 1 and may change as further updates are released.
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