Authorities in Oregon said that seven people were killed Thursday in a crash involving two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle.
The collision occurred at around 2 p.m. on the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near the Santiam rest area of Albany, police said.
All victims were adults and are currently being identified.
Oregon State Police troopers and firefighters rushed to the site in response to the massive crash. Bodies covered in plastic could be seen laying in a nearby field and barriers were placed to block sighting of the terrifying scene.
The passenger vehicle was a van that appeared to have been crushed between the heavier trucks, witnesses reported.
“Judging by the damage, it looked like the van was sandwiched. It got hit very hard,” one said.
Witness Phil Price said that he was in his vehicle watching as first responders recovered lifeless bodies from the van. He described the gruesome scene as tough to forget.
“I actually felt like puking when I saw it. It's disturbing, you know? It's though.”
“It opens your eyes a bit, makes you slow down a bit, makes you want to think a bit.”
