The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of a 71-car pile-up in western Kansas on I-70 that killed eight people on Friday afternoon.

 

K-H-P reports that strong winds and a weather front caused a dust storm that reduced visibility on the interstate to near zero. The lack of visibility caused traffic between Goodland and Colby to slow, resulting in several accidents. A total of eight people were killed and numerous other travelers were injured in the accident.

 

The pile-up caused I-70 between Goodland and Colby to be shut down for more than 24 hours to allow emergency crews to rescue motorists and clear the scene. The Thomas County Commission declared a local state of emergency and set up a temporary shelter at Colby Community College for those affected by the accident.

 

The crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

 

Photos courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol