Crash On Pennsylvania Turnpike Kills Five People, Injures 60 Others

A massive pileup on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Sunday morning has claimed the lives of five motorists and injured 60 others in Mount Pleasant Township southeast of Pittsburgh, according to the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety.

The crash involved two tractor-trailers, a tour bus, and multiple passenger cars and occurred around 3:34 a.m. “Turnpike is closed in both directions from New Stanton (#75) to Breezewood (#161). A prolonged closure likely,” Pennsylvania Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo tweeted. Five hours after the crash, 86-miles of the turnpike remain closed, DeFebo added.

The five people killed were found dead at the scene, county coroner Ken Bacha reported.

The 60 individuals that were injured were transported to local area hospitals.

Excela Frick Hospital received 25 victims ranging from ages 7 to 52, spokeswoman Robin Jennings said, nine of which are children.

Eleven victims from the crash were taken to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Hospital spokeswoman Stephanie Waite said one patient was in critical condition, and ten are in fair condition. The ages of those victims were not immediately available, and the cause of the accident has not yet been made clear.

Prayers to the families of those lost and a speedy recovery to those in hospital care.