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GOODLAND, Kan. (KSNW) – At least eight people have died after pile-ups of 71 vehicles on Kansas Interstate 70 during Dust Storm Friday.
Reopening the highway in both directions between Colby and Goodlands, about 20 miles from the Colorado border, took more than 24 hours of coordinated efforts from surrounding towns and counties.
Authorities were first notified of the crash at about 3:20pm when traffic began to slow with visibility near zero, with multiple collisions occurring. KHP counted 71 vehicles involved.
Goodland Fire Chief Brian James said initial responders tend to be more than 30 patients and that even if visibility is poor due to strong winds and blows, they must make quick, life and death decisions.
Response authorities say the incident will be with them for a long time.
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“I’ve seen it before, and this is probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Todd Hillman.
Just behind the dust wall from Friday’s storm was the remains of sedans, SUVs and semi-trucks.
“It’s more or less like being on a boat,” truck driver Kevin McNamara said of driving in the storm. “if [the wind] From the side, it’s like hitting illicit waves. It just shakes the truck. ”
Visibility near zero in the Goodlands area on Friday has slightly avoided crash drops for some, like McNamara.
“I really couldn’t get through it. It was more or less what I drove it,” he said. “After safely stopping… I grabbed the CB and began screaming, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” ”
McNamara compared the dust storm to driving in a whiteout state. Almost all of Kansas experienced similar conditions on Friday, stretching first responders resources thinly and requiring mutual assistance.
“We certainly couldn’t handle it all ourselves. Not just one EMS, but one fire department can’t handle it,” Hileman said.
Hilleman said getting calls with so many injuries is something he fears most.
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“These things will be with us for the rest of our lives. But that’s our job. We’ve signed up for it. We try to do it with as much empathy and professionalism as possible. But I’m not going to lie and it won’t affect us to see things like that,” explained Haleman.
Details of the person killed and injured were not immediately available on Sunday morning.
A telephone line was opened dedicated to family members and loved ones of the victims. This is a priority number and is intended to answer questions as soon as possible. If you are family or loved one and have questions, please dial 785-827-4437.
Nationally, at least 35 people have been killed this weekend as a massive storm wiped out the US as of Sunday afternoon. Three in Alabama, 12 in Missouri, six in Mississippi and three in Arkansas. Authorities said three people were killed in a car accident during a dust storm in Amarillo, Texas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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