Multiple State Troopers, rescue teams and emergency personnel are currently at the scene of a roadway collapse on Hwy 26 in George County, where both east and westbound lanes have washed out near Lucedale, MS. Two fatalities and up to ten injuries are accounted for so far.
According to MHP Troop K, highway patrol is with various other agencies at the scene. There were two fatalities and ten injuries.
Both the east and westbound lanes of Highway 26 in George County have collapsed. There are two fatalities and ten injuries. Three of those ten are critical. I am on the scene, and I’ll update you as I learn more @WLOX pic.twitter.com/85CAh99Qu1
— Tristan Ruppert (@TristanRuppert) August 31, 2021
Trooper Cal Robertson of the Mississippi Highway Patrol spoke with media outlets early Tuesday.
Seven vehicles went into the hole created by the washout, according to Robertson, which was roughly 50 feet in length and 20 feet deep. “I’ve never seen anything in my 23 years in law enforcement like this,” he said.
Here is another look at the scene… As you can tell, they have got multiple vehicles out now. Several agencies here working to clear the wreckage pic.twitter.com/KPqXAfxubK
— Tristan Ruppert (@TristanRuppert) August 31, 2021
Three of those injured are in critical condition, according to Robertson. HIGHWAY 26 WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will assess the damages and make a determination as to when the roadway will reopen for travel.
As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, Tropical Depression Ida was about 145 miles north-northeast of Jackson, Mississippi, and heading toward Tennessee, according to the National Hurricane Center.
