Move FM Global News

FLORIDA, U.S. – A tragic road accident left seven people dead and seven others injured in Florida on Thursday. 

The crash, which involved two tractor-trailer rigs and two passenger vehicles, occurred on Interstate 75 and left at least seven people dead and seven others injured.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the multi-vehicle crash involved two tractor trailers, a sedan and a passenger van and took place at 3.42 pm on Interstate 75 about a mile south of Alachua, near Gainesville.

Lieutenant Patrick Riordan said that two of the tractor-trailers and a sedan collided and caught fire, causing about 50 gallons of diesel fuel to spill on the highway, which sparked a massive fire.

He said, “Two semis were involved and on both of them at least the trailer part has burned. At least some of the fatalities were in at least one of the passenger vehicles.”

Adding that part of the highway was closed in both directions following the crash, which caused massive delays. 

The Alachua County Sherriff’s office posted a brief update through Twitter and said that the crash was in the northbound lanes, but southbound lanes were closed for hours to keep a route open for first responders.

The Sherriff’s office added in the tweet that the emergency “required all hands on deck.” 

Further, the Alachua County Fire Rescue reportedly rushed to the spot and managed to extinguish the fire. 

The Fire Rescue team said in a Facebook post that “multiple patients” had suffered “critical injuries.”

According to Lieutenant Riordan, most of those who died due to the blaze were in the van, including children and adults.

Late on Thursday, authorities said that the fire was so intense that it damaged parts of the road.

Adding that they were investigating the crash as a homicide.

A spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement that investigators were focussed on conducting a thorough probe and identify the deceased victims.

Lieutenant Riordan said in the statement, “It’s unclear whether the victims were killed in the wreck or whether they burned in the fire, which would make identification more difficult. There’s going to be families that need to be notified that their loves ones have perished.”

Meanwhile, authorities said that the northbound lanes were reopened around 8 pm, while warning that the southbound lanes could be closed until morning.