Crunch time: At least 45 cars caught in weather-related crash zone on I-93

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Chaos on I-93 Friday morning, after slick roads and whiteout conditions caused drivers to crash.
Chaos on I-93 Friday morning, after slick roads and whiteout conditions caused drivers to crash.

DERRY, NH – It was crunch time on Interstate 93 late Friday morning, as snowfall created white-out conditions and slick roads, leading to a series of chain-reaction crashes involving at least 45 vehicles.

New Hampshire State Police shut down the highway at mile marker 9 before 11:30 a.m. NHSP after multiple 911 calls came in for accidents in the southbound, just south of Exit 4. Dozens of vehicles crashed, one after the other, with some vehicles going on off the roadway.

Traffic was reduced to 45 mph for several hours due to deteriorating road conditions, brought on by “ocean effect” snow showers, an uncommon occurrence that happens when cold air blows over warmer bodies of water, creating bands of snow to move inland. With air temperatures in the 20s and ocean temperatures closer to 40, clouds of snow rolled in, reducing visibility.

Ambulance and fire crews responded from Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Salem, Windham, and Hudson, and fire crews responded from those same communities except Manchester. Several people were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Cars that were driveable were directed to the southbound weigh station parking lot where police took accident reports. Vehicles on the highway were checked one by one for injured people, and when cleared red flags were placed on the cars indicating they were good to go.


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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!