Photo courtesy of Harrisonburg Fire Department
R40 had a busy busy morning on Tuesday, January 3. Not only were they busy with regular, non-weather-related calls, but around 9am dispatched to I-81 for a multi-vehicle traffic accident. The colder temperatures, wind, and sporadic snow fall cause drivers along the busy highway to collide. Approximately 30 vehicles were involved in the wreck. Rockingham Memorial Hospital received 14 patients from the accident. Most injuries were minor. A Harrisonburg City Transit bus was brought to the scene to help stranded motorists keep warm. Northbound lanes were closed for several hours while emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage. It required the efforts of the Harrisonburg Fire Department, Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, Bridgewater Rescue Squad, Harrisonburg Police Department, Virginia State Police, and many other surrounding EMS agencies to handle this incident.
