Two killed in 100-vehicle pile up

Two people were killed and dozens of others injured today when at least 100 vehicles collided on a Texas highway in dense fog, leaving trucks twisted on top of each other and rescue workers rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.

“It is catastrophic,” said Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Rod Carroll. “I’ve got cars on top of cars.”

The Thanksgiving holiday morning crash happened on Interstate 10 about 80 miles (128km) east of Houston.

At least 51 people were taken to area hospitals, and at least eight were critically hurt, officials at Acadian Ambulance service told KFDM-TV.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the pile-up, but Mr Carroll said the fog was so thick that officers did not immediately realise they were dealing with multiple accidents.

I-10’s eastbound lanes were expected to remain closed for most of the day.

Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Stephanie Davis told KFDM that two people in an SUV died after the crash. She said at least 100 cars and trucks were involved in the accident.

Mr Carroll said uninjured drivers tried to help as officials sorted through the wreckage.

“It’s just people helping people,” Mr Carroll said. “The foremost thing in this holiday season is how other travellers were helping us when we were overwhelmed, sitting and holding, putting pressure on people that were injured.”