February 27, 2002:

A massive crash caused by slick roads and blowing lake-effect snow closed the eastbound NYS Thruway this afternoon. One patient was pronounced dead at the scene while multiple others were taken to local hospitals. Mercy Flight was also utilized to transport injured to the county trauma center.

The crash occurred shortly after noon during whiteout conditions. Eight tractor trailers and six vehicles were involved in the grinding crash which took firefighters hours to clean up. Several vehicles were pushed beneath tractor trailers by the force of the crash. Rescue crews from Armor, Big Tree, Blasdell, Boston EMS, Hamburg, Lake Shore, Newton-Abbott, Orchard Park, Rural/Metro, Scranton and Woodlawn, raced to the scene to extricate and transport trapped patients. Also assisting EMS crews were representatives from Erie County Emergency Services and the Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team from the Erie County Medical Center. The Southtowns HAZMAT team was dispatched to contain the multiple diesel fuel spills caused by the crash.

Currently, the NYS thruway remains closed as heavy equipment is being utilized to disentangle the vehicles. An accident investigation is being conducted by the New York State Police and the New York State Thruway Authority.