A horror 71-vehicle car crash during a violent dust storm has tragically killed eight people, according to police. Dozens of motorists and passengers were injured and taken to hospital following the freak dust storm. It was one of the deadliest accidents in Kansas in recent years as 46 people were injured after the storm swept Goodland and Colby on March 14. The highest gust was 56mph at 3.25pm and dozens of cars crashed following low visibility on the motorway, cops said. Authorities have now confirmed eight people have died after being admitted to hospital last month.
Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Tod Hileman wrote in a recent update on social media: “During the High winds that were producing a lot of blowing dust over the interstate, that was one of the areas that was affected the worst, once troopers got on scene they realised how major of an event this was. Sadly eight people have lost their lives.”
Police have now confirmed the eight people who sadly died: Larry Smith, 72, of Sharon Springs, Kansas, Dawson Hogan, 20, of Salina, Kansas, Baiel Sharshembiev, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Carlos Arzate, 48, of Shattuck, Oklahoma, Manuel Alarcon, 57, of Dodge City, Stephanie Purcell, 61, of Evansville, Indiana, Mario Juarez, 31, of Garden City, Kansas and Giovanni Stefan, 60, of Troy, Michigan.
Police said it is investigating how all the crashes occurred. “Due to the extreme circumstances the exact sequence of events is currently under investigation,” the agency said.
Robert Rybak and Patty Dowd Schmitz, who were involved in the crash, previously told local media it was a “miracle” that they walked away from the wreckage in Kansas. “We are the lucky ones,” Schmitz said.
“The fact that we’re alive and we were able to basically walk away from what should have been a fatal accident. I mean, we’re just so lucky and grateful because so many people weren’t that lucky.”
Goodland Fire Chief Brian James James, who was dispatched to the scene, took to social media a day after the “emotional experience” to praise emergency services.
He wrote: ‘I must say (yesterday) it was the toughest and most emotional draining experience in my 22 years of being in the fire service.
“Trying to manage multiple agencies, over 30 patients, triaging patients, working over 55 vehicles, fighting the wind with dirt so bad you can’t see over 50 to 100 feet, and trying to keep my crews and myself safe was just something to process.
“I don’t think people realise the dedication these men and women give to make this community safe and secure.
“We had to think outside the box to get patients transported to hospitals in Goodland and Colby by using our fire department support vehicle with AEMT’s in the back to using patrol vehicles from Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol.
“I’m sorry for the lives lost in this incident, but I’m grateful for the ones we could save.
“Please be praying for my crews and all Sherman County first responders. A huge thank you to the following agencies who worked this massive car pile up on I-70 at MM 28 to MM 29:
“Goodland Fire, Brewster Fire, Northwest Kansas Ambulance Service, Colby Fire Department, Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Game Warden W300, Thomas County EMS, Wallace County EMS, Cheyenne County EMS, and Sherman County Dispatch for getting me the resources I needed.”
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