Update 7:45 p.m.: A total of 37 vehicles were involved in the crash, State Police said. Interstate 81 has reopened in both northbound and southbound directions.
Original story:
LaFayette, N.Y. — About 30 vehicles, including three tractor-trailers, crashed in a massive pileup on Interstate 81 South in LaFayette on Thursday afternoon.
The crash initially involved about 18 vehicles, with several smaller crashes occurring nearby, according to Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a spokesperson for State Police. Troopers were called to the crash around 2:20 p.m. south of Exit 73 (LaFayette), she said.
Seven people were taken to area hospitals: Four to Crouse Hospital and three to Upstate University Hospital. Two people suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.
It was snowing at the time of the crash with poor visibility.
People who were not injured were taken from the scene to the LaFayette Fire Department by a Centro bus.
Around 5 p.m., about 40 people were sheltering at the fire department, LaFayette Town Supervisor Bill McConnell said. About an hour later, most had been picked up by family or friends since they lived within 50 miles of the crash.
Due to the severity of the crash, McConnell activated the town’s Emergency Action Plan. Residents are urged to stay home and off the roads for the next six to eight hours, he said.
The town is working with the American Red Cross and the LaFayette School System to provide lodging and meals for travelers or residents stranded.
The town asked anyone stranded to call McConnell at 315-391-8167, and the town will coordinate assistance through 911.
The highway was closed in both directions.
I-81 South at Exit 73 will remain closed while crews clear the crash, a process expected to take about two hours.
One northbound lane at Exit 67 in Tully reopened shortly after 5 p.m.