DIX – A multi-vehicle accident was reported Sunday afternoon on northbound I-57 near Dix.
According to the Jefferson Fire Protection District, firefighters were sent to the scene just after 2 p.m. where they found the crash with one semi rolled over.
While units were responding, dispatch updated that there was a car involved and there was a vehicle on fire.
At this time the Kell Fire Protection District was requested for mutual aid for a tender. First arriving fire, EMS, and law enforcement units found two semis, a SUV, and a pickup truck on its top pulling a boat all involved with multiple patients. At that time additional EMS units including Air Evac were requested .
One semi had disconnected from his box trailer and pulled away. The box trailer, pickup truck, boat, and second tractor of a flatbed semi were all on fire. The tractor cab of the flatbed had been dislodged from its frame after the steel beam load moved forward. It was against the box trailer.
Arriving fire apparatus from both departments fought the fire from the north and south sides to bring the fire under control. All northbound lanes were shut down, and for a brief time, the southbound lanes were shut down for Air Evac to land.
In total six patients were transported by Litton Ambulance, United Medical Response, Life Star Ambulance, and Air Evac 172. A total of two engines, three tenders, one rescue, and two chiefs responded to the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by Illinois State Police.
