The Derry Fire Department responded to a multiple car pile-up Friday, March 4 on Interstate 93.
A light snowfall was the reason behind the accidents, which happened at approximately 10:15 a.m. and involved 20 vehicles.
Derry Battalion Chief Scott Haggart said, “We had just experienced a brief snow, which caused slippery roads and whiteout conditions.”
The incident involved a stretch of I-93 southbound from the Derry town line through Derry, Windham and a portion of Salem.
Derry Fire responded to a 10-car pileup in Derry, while Windham and Salem fire departments handled crashes on their portion of I-93.
Derry Fire Car 1 established command at Mile 9.3 of the 10-car pileup in Derry. Approximately 10 other vehicles were off the road in the area with no damage or injuries.
The multi-vehicle accident at the Windham/Derry town line was managed by New Hampshire State Police and Windham Fire personnel with mutual aid assistance from Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Pelham, Manchester and Hooksett Fire Departments.
Haggart said five victims of the crash required extrication from their vehicles and transport from Derry, while another six refused treatment. Patients were transported to the Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center, both in Manchester and Parkland Medical Center in Derry with minor injuries.
Mutual aid was provided by Londonderry, Manchester and Hooksett.
Haggart noted that fire and EMS (emergency medical services) resources were “stretched thin” due to similar incidents caused by the snowstorm.
