Скачать или смотреть Snow squall pileup on Route 222 injures 24, police say

line of fierce snow squalls apparently sparked a chain reaction pileup on Route 222 in Berks County involving 27 vehicles and injuring a total of 24 people, two of them critically, Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The wreck in Wyomissing, a borough in Berks County west of Reading, closed a portion of the highway between Route 422 and Route 724 around 1:30 p.m. Wyomissing police say two tractor-trailers were involved in the crash — one was hauling an empty trailer and another carrying U.S. mail.

Of the 24 injured, 15 were evaluated at the scene by EMS and another nine taken to Reading Hospital for treatment. Two of those nine patients suffered critical injuries, according to police. Authorities say eight people were taken to the Spring Township Fire Department building for reunification with families and further interviews about the crash.

Footage from the scene showed jackknifed big rigs and some cars off the roadway and down embankments.

Wyomissing police Chief Jeffrey Biehl said all vehicles were cleared by 4 p.m.

In addition to the Wyomissing Police Department, state police and the Spring Township Police Department also responded. Several ambulance, fire and emergency management agencies also reported to the scene.

Police are asking any witnesses to the crash to contact the Wyomissing Police Department at 610-375-6102.

About an hour later, a second pileup was reported on Interstate 78 near Hamburg. The Reading Eagle reports about 14 vehicles were involved and injuries are minor.

Meteorologists had been warning of the chance Wednesday afternoon for heavy snow squalls that could produce locally higher wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph along with significantly reduced visibility.

The National Weather Service issued a Snow Squall Warning for Lehigh and Northampton counties at 2:05 p.m., lasting through 3 p.m.

There is also a wind advisory in effect for the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas until 10 p.m. this evening.