Seven People Killed After Truck Collides With Van Near Phoenix

[News_Editor]

Seven people killed after truck collides with van near Phoenix < br />

2012-07-31 03:22:55 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) -- Seven people were killed Sunday when a semi-trailer truck crossed the median of an Arizona highway and collided with an oncoming van, state public safety officials said on Monday. Two others were injured.

The accident happened at approximately 11 a.m. local time on Sunday when a semi-trailer truck, traveling westbound on Interstate 10 near the Burnt Wells Rest Area at milepost 87, crossed through the median and struck a van that was traveling eastbound. Both vehicles were pushed into a culvert and the vehicles caught on fire.

"We have confirmed that seven people were killed inside the van," said Carrick Cook, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Public safety. "The driver of the semi truck and his wife, who was a passenger in the semi, were taken by air ambulance to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix and are expected to survive."

Cook said the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and it is expected to take some time before the medical examiner's office is able to identify them. "We are not certain on the cause of the crash but we will be interviewing the semi driver who remains at the hospital," he added.

The scene of the accident was about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Phoenix.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-07-31