CENTER CITY (WTXF) – An accident on I-95 involving a fire truck and a tractor trailer has the major expressway closed, and it’s expected to remain closed and backed up as the morning rush hour gets underway.
The crash happened at about 3am on I-95 southbound underneath the Chestnut Street overpass. Philadelphia’s fire captain Clifford Gilliam told FOX29’s Jennifer Joyce the fire truck had gotten to the scene of a two-car crash. Firefighters used the truck as a buffer from highway traffic. They were only there a few minutes when the tractor trailer lost control, hit them and jackknifed.
Since then, it has been sitting perpendicular to the highway lanes.
Five firefighters were hurt and they’re in stable condition at Hahnemann Hospital.
FOX 29’s Steve Keeley — at the scene since the start — reported it happened after a torrential downpour.
Authorities let some cars get through the crash scene briefly, but traffic is backed up all the way to Girard Avenue and it may back up further. You’ll want to avoid I-95 southbound.
People stuck at the scene for hours have gotten out of their cars and walked around because they have not been able to move.
At this moment, tow trucks are expected to remove both the fire truck and tractor trailer, and that may happen by 7am.
There are TWO SEPERATE CRASH SCENES ON 95South This under Chestnut St overpass 2nd under next underpass@FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/hpiro1syl8
– Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) September 1, 2016
Ladder 16 rear ended.Damaged where 2nd steering wheel(tiller)driver is,among 5 now stable at hospital @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/WlVEdFfmOK
– Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) September 1, 2016
