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Three killed, dozens injured in 50-vehicle Pennsylvania pile-up

Sunday, 14 February 2016 1:41 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 14 February 2016 1:40 AM ]

Vehicles pile up at the site of a fatal crash on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania on February 13, 2016. (Photo by AP)

At least three people have lost their lives and dozens have been injured in a deadly highway pile-up in the US state of Pennsylvania, amid snowstorms.

According to authorities, the accident involved over 50 vehicles and occurred on Saturday morning in a snow-covered interstate highway in Lebanon County,120km (75miles) north-west of Philadelphia amid strong winds and poor visibility.

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a crash on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania on February 13, 2016. (AP photo)

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokesman, Cory Angell, said there were “multiple fatalities, along with more than 40 people transported to area hospitals.”

Reports said winds of at least 30 miles an hour were blowing at the time of the crash and visibility was less than 2 miles.

Emergency personnel carry someone away from a crash scene on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania on February 13, 2016. (AP photo)

Earlier Saturday, the US National Weather Service had issued several alerts about snow squalls in the Philadelphia area.

"The snow just started and it was a total whiteout. The car in front of us just disappeared," a witness said. "We were able to stop, but a couple cars slid and hit the shoulder."

“It just turned real white,” another witness said, adding that all he could see were the brake lights of the car in front of him, so he slowed down and was hit from behind.

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 78 in central Pennsylvania on February 13, 2016. (AP photo)

Police said over 70 people were stationed at an emergency shelter set up near the highway to keep them out of cold, adding that the interstate would remain closed until at least midnight.

People were asked in the area to stay indoors because of extremely cold temperatures.