3 Dead In Fiery Crash

Tuesday, October 23rd 2007, 3:33 pm

By: News On 6

MUTUAL, Okla. (AP) -- A tractor-trailer burst into flames after slamming into a line of cars stopped in a construction zone on a northwest Oklahoma highway Tuesday, killing three people and seriously injuring two others, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. The accident, which involved four cars and two tractor-trailers, happened about 10:35 a.m. along U.S. Highway 270 between Seiling and Woodward near the town of Mutual, OHP Capt. Chris West said.

Witnesses said at least two vehicles were crushed beneath the tractor-trailer, and a cattle-hauling trailer was torn open, leaving several dead animals in the roadway.

"It's a terrible mess out there," OHP Trooper Betsy Randolph said.

One of the survivors was taken to a hospital in Woodward and a second was flown to Oklahoma City, West said. The names of those killed and injured were not released.

OHP Captain Chris West said a minor traffic accident in the construction zone forced several vehicles to stop before the tractor-trailer crashed into the cars.