White-out conditions caused by an early spring snow squall contributed to a massive chain-reaction accident that included cars, trucks, and a tour bus on I-88 in near Schenevus Sunday afternoon.
No one was killed and there were no serious injuries in the accident that occurred at about 12:31pm near mile-marker 72 in the westbound lanes of I-88 in the Town of Maryland, Otsego County, according to police.
Eight people were transported to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown with non-life threatening injuries, according to officials.
A total of 15 vehicles were involved in the crash, including three tractor-trailers, passenger vehicles, and an Adirondack Trailways tour bus carrying 20 passengers.
It is likely that the accident was caused by the blinding wind and snow, according to police.
The accident started when a SUV struck a tractor-trailer due to white-out conditions and very strong winds, according to the New York State Police. Both vehicles came to rest in the driving lane and northern shoulder of the road. The bus then collided with the tractor-trailer and came to rest in the driving lane. A second and third tractor-trailer then struck the bus causing damage and a large debris field on the road. Several additional passenger cars then collided with the debris and vehicles already on I-88.
The tour bus, traveling from Cobleskill to Oneonta slid into the median of I-88. The passengers were taken to Schenevus Central School to stay warm until another bus was available to take them to Oneonta, police said. Several passengers of the bus and the driver of a tractor-trailer were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, police added.
A tractor-trailer carrying lumber behind the bus spilled most of its load onto the road and other vehicles involved in the accident.
Numerous fire and rescue squads were called to the scene, including several from Schoharie County.
Crews from five fire departments and eight ambulance squads were on the scene, according to officials from the Schenevus Fire Department.
Personnel from Richmondville Fire and EMS responded as mutual aid, per Worcester command.
Cobleskill EMS personnel were on standby in their station.
In addition to local personnel, members of the state DOT, the state Office of Emergency Management, the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit also responded to the scene, according to police.
The westbound lanes of I-88 were closed until about 10:30pm due to the accident.
Initial reports of 30 or more vehicles in the accident proved to be inaccurate.