Fire Department declares “mass casualty” after 8 vehicle pile up at forced merge in construction zone

An eight vehicle pile up on Interstate 291 on Monday morning was declared “mass casualty” by the responding fire department. 

The accident happened on the morning of August 31st in South Windsor, Connecticut on westbound I-291 between exits 2 and 1D. 

According to the Stamford Advocate, the pile up involved a school van, a tractor trailer, two pickup trucks, and four cars in a construction zone with a forced merge during morning rush hour. 

“This section of I-291 Westbound is immediately before the construction area on the Bissell Bridge, where the left lane is permanently closed due to construction,” said Brian Peck, assistant chief of the South Windsor Fire Department.

The lane closure has been causing traffic to back up as far as Exit 2. While there are electronic messaging signs warning to slow down prior to Exit 2, there continue to be accidents in this area when drivers cresting the hill at Exit 2 are suddenly coming upon stopped or slow-moving traffic with little time to react. This combination of limited sight distance and recurring traffic congestion has contributed to multiple serious crashes in this area.”

Two adults suffered serious injuries and five other people sustained minor injuries. The South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department says the scene required so many ambulances that they declared it a “mass casualty” event. 

A second rear end crash occurred on the opposite side of the interstate when a motorist rubbernecking was rear ended by another. No further information has been released.