Multiple fatalities after huge pile-up involving FIFTY cars on I-57 in Missouri

Multiple people are dead following a car pile-up in Missouri involving up to fifty vehicles on Monday morning.   

The Mississippi County EMS believes a driver hit the breaks, ensuing a chain reaction on Interstate 57 near Charleston. 

The pile-up was caused by someone braking late in fog around 8am, local news station 23WIFR reported. 

 ‘As we approached the interstate, it was a very thick fog, you couldn’t – the visibility was less than 50 feet, so, the traffic had already backed up,’ Director of the Charleston Department of Public Safety Robert Hearne told the outlet. 

‘We had multiple accidents on both sides of the interstate, the north and the southbound lanes were shut down.’

The Mississippi, Missouri, County Sheriff’s Office declined to release the number of fatal victims on Thursday afternoon, but director of the Mississippi County EMS Zach Bolden confirmed several had died in the tragic crash. 

‘Not releasing that information at this time. Still an active accident scene with multiple agencies working to help all involved and clear the scene,’ the department wrote on Facebook. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to Missouri Highway Patrol and the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office for comment. 

Police also reported vehicle fires, including several 18-wheelers, and at least one person was airlifted to receive medical care

Smoke billowing from vehicles on I-57 following a fatal pile-up involving at least 40 cars 

People help one of the wounded after the pile-up on the I-57 on Thursday afternoon

The Missouri Department of Public Safety said in a statement: ‘This is a major incident with multiple crashes involving several tractor trailers and fatalities.

‘Both directions are closed and there is a large-scale cleanup underway as well as continuing major-crash fatality scene investigation by Missouri State Highway Patrol. There is no estimated time for reopening I-57.’  

Harrowing videos from the scene shows trucks on fire and smoke billowing for miles. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed at least one of the deaths but EMS at the scene say there are multiple fatalities.   

Police also reported vehicle fires, including several 18-wheelers, and at least one person was airlifted to receive medical care. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed at least one of the deaths but EMS at the scene say there are multiple fatalities

Firefighters work on putting out a fire after a fatal pile-up along Interstate 57 near Charleston 

Among people taking to hospitals were two emergency responders. Above, officials work on clearing the road 

Among people taking to hospitals were two emergency responders, local news station KFVS reported. Several others were treated at the scene. 

Highway Patrol is still clearing the scene. Law enforcement has asked the public to avoid all roads leading into I-57, as they’re being shut down due to traffic and emergency vehicles. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation said the stretch of I-57 from I-55 to the Illinois state line will be likely closed for several hours.  

Pictures posted on social media show lines of cars at the site of the accident and black smoke stretching into the sky.  

Highway Patrol is still clearing the scene. Law enforcement has asked the public to avoid all roads leading into I-57, as they’re being shut down due to traffic and emergency vehicles

Harrowing videos from the scene shows trucks on fire and smoke billowing for miles

Multiple people are dead following a car pile-up on I-57 in Charleston, Missouri involving up to fifty vehicles

Highway Patrol is still conduction a ‘large-scale’ clean-up at the scene