Bakerville MCI
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Several people were injured after a snowplow and ski shuttle bus collided near the Eisenhower Tunnel on Interstate 70 Sunday morning.
State Patrol spokesman Master Trooper Ron Watkins said he believed the bus was one that carries skiers and snowboarders from Denver International Airport to mountain ski resorts.
The driver of the ski shuttle bus didn't realize there was a slight detour on I-70 when he plowed into a parked Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow near the tunnel, Watkins said.
The driver and all eight passengers on the bus were injured. He said at least two people were airlifted from the scene to area hospitals.
The eastbound lanes were closed for several hours while the crash scene was cleared.
Watkins said charges are pending in the crash.
State Patrol spokesman Master Trooper Ron Watkins said he believed the bus was one that carries skiers and snowboarders from Denver International Airport to mountain ski resorts.
The driver of the ski shuttle bus didn't realize there was a slight detour on I-70 when he plowed into a parked Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow near the tunnel, Watkins said.
The driver and all eight passengers on the bus were injured. He said at least two people were airlifted from the scene to area hospitals.
The eastbound lanes were closed for several hours while the crash scene was cleared.
Watkins said charges are pending in the crash.
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rescueeagle
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KUSA – Hours after a van carrying skiers to Denver International Airport slammed into a snowplow sending nine people to area hospitals, a separate seven car crash in the same spot tied up traffic along I-70 again.
Trooper Ryan Boone of the Colorado State Patrol says the problem began at 3:30 a.m., almost five hours prior to the wreck between the van and the snowplow.
"About 3:30 this morning we had a semi hit a guard rail," said Boone. "And he spilled some of his fuel out of the side fuel tanks."
Boone says the spill occurred near the Eisenhower Tunnel and I-70 was closed down. Traffic was being diverted off exit ramp 218 in order to allow hazardous material crews an opportunity to clean up the fuel.
To ensure the safety of clean-up crews, C-DOT says they parked a snowplow to block the eastbound lanes of I-70.
At just after 8 a.m., a Colorado Mountain Express van, loaded with skiers heading to DIA, slammed into the plow.
"He just basically was in the left lane of traffic, all the other traffic was going on the off ramp and getting back on Interstate 70 eastbound on the on ramp," said Boone. "He was in the left lane of traffic, came through and just broadsided the snowplow."
Boone says they don't know the exact speed the van was going, but the driver says he was going about 60 miles per hour. The driver of the CME van was not injured.
Troopers say eight passengers suffered injuries, most of whom were complaining of broken limbs, and two people were flown to Denver area hospitals in two separate helicopters.
"Most everyone was complaining about something broken," said Boone.
Boone says the driver of the snowplow was standing in the driver's door at the time of the crash and says he was thrown about 15 feet when the van crashed into the snowplow.
"We don't know the exact extent of his injuries but he was complaining that his arm and shoulder were hurting him," Boone said.
C-DOT was forced to close I-70 again after a second crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. at the same exact spot: Eastbound I-70 at mile marker 218.
The same accident investigation team was on scene investigating the seven car crash and was unable to obtain any further information on the first crash.
There were no injuries reported in the second crash and I-70 was reopened a short time later.
Troopers say the CME driver could face charges resulting from the crash with the snowplow.
State patrol says a second CME van was brought in to pick up luggage and to help in the investigation.
Troopers put a computer on the dashboard of the second van and used it to help determine speeds in a skid test, which helps recreate speeds the first van may have been traveling at the time of the crash.
Trooper Ryan Boone of the Colorado State Patrol says the problem began at 3:30 a.m., almost five hours prior to the wreck between the van and the snowplow.
"About 3:30 this morning we had a semi hit a guard rail," said Boone. "And he spilled some of his fuel out of the side fuel tanks."
Boone says the spill occurred near the Eisenhower Tunnel and I-70 was closed down. Traffic was being diverted off exit ramp 218 in order to allow hazardous material crews an opportunity to clean up the fuel.
To ensure the safety of clean-up crews, C-DOT says they parked a snowplow to block the eastbound lanes of I-70.
At just after 8 a.m., a Colorado Mountain Express van, loaded with skiers heading to DIA, slammed into the plow.
"He just basically was in the left lane of traffic, all the other traffic was going on the off ramp and getting back on Interstate 70 eastbound on the on ramp," said Boone. "He was in the left lane of traffic, came through and just broadsided the snowplow."
Boone says they don't know the exact speed the van was going, but the driver says he was going about 60 miles per hour. The driver of the CME van was not injured.
Troopers say eight passengers suffered injuries, most of whom were complaining of broken limbs, and two people were flown to Denver area hospitals in two separate helicopters.
"Most everyone was complaining about something broken," said Boone.
Boone says the driver of the snowplow was standing in the driver's door at the time of the crash and says he was thrown about 15 feet when the van crashed into the snowplow.
"We don't know the exact extent of his injuries but he was complaining that his arm and shoulder were hurting him," Boone said.
C-DOT was forced to close I-70 again after a second crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. at the same exact spot: Eastbound I-70 at mile marker 218.
The same accident investigation team was on scene investigating the seven car crash and was unable to obtain any further information on the first crash.
There were no injuries reported in the second crash and I-70 was reopened a short time later.
Troopers say the CME driver could face charges resulting from the crash with the snowplow.
State patrol says a second CME van was brought in to pick up luggage and to help in the investigation.
Troopers put a computer on the dashboard of the second van and used it to help determine speeds in a skid test, which helps recreate speeds the first van may have been traveling at the time of the crash.
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