Multiple Collisions on German Autobahn Leave Dozens Injured
Initial Bus-Truck Crash
A tragic chain of events unfolded on Autobahn 3 near Bad Camberg in the Limburg-Weilburg district of Germany, resulting in a series of collisions and multiple injuries. The first incident involved a tour bus carrying 64 students and 3 teachers from the Groß-Gerau district. The bus collided with a semi-trailer truck, which was then pushed into two additional trucks.
The impact of the crash left a devastating toll:
- The bus driver sustained serious injuries
- Ten students and one truck driver suffered minor injuries
Cause of Stauende and Secondary Crash
The initial collision had created a dangerous traffic jam, known as a "stauende," on Autobahn 3. This congestion ultimately led to a second accident approximately 90 minutes later. A semi-trailer truck driver rear-ended another semi-trailer truck, resulting in minor injuries to one of the drivers.
Third Collision: Kleinlaster and Car Collide
In a subsequent turn of events, a pick-up truck and a car collided on the Autobahn. The impact caused the vehicles to careen into parked semi-trailer trucks on the emergency lane.
- Two of the car’s three occupants sustained severe injuries and were airlifted to a hospital
- The third car occupant was also injured, along with the driver of the pick-up truck
Emergency Response and Traffic Disruptions
The multiple collisions triggered an immediate emergency response. Firefighters, paramedics, and police rushed to the scene to provide assistance and investigate the incidents.
The Autobahn in the northbound direction was closed for several hours due to the accidents. As the afternoon progressed, traffic remained congested, resulting in delays of over nine kilometers.
Care for Victims
The injured students were transported to a shelter in Limburg, where they received support from a crisis intervention team. The driver and injured truck drivers were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are actively investigating the causes of all three collisions. Witness accounts and physical evidence will help determine the exact circumstances and liability for these tragic events.
