In a tragic incident on Saturday morning, a pileup involving 35 vehicles occurred along a foggy stretch of California's Interstate 5 in southern California, resulting in the death of two individuals and leaving nine others injured.

According to authorities, the crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. west of Bakersfield. Kern County Fire Department spokesman Jim Calhoun described the scene as chaotic, with visibility reduced to approximately 10 feet due to heavy fog. The collision spread over half a mile and involved 17 passenger vehicles as well as 18 big rigs.

Tragically, two people lost their lives at the scene, while nine others sustained minor injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Upon arriving at the scene, Calhoun encountered a challenging situation, with compressed natural gas and ruptured saddle tanks on some of the big rigs releasing a plume of gas. Bystanders not injured in the crash bravely assisted in rescue efforts while having to navigate through the potentially hazardous gas. The first priority for emergency crews was to evacuate everyone from the affected area and address the gas leak.

The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, announced on Saturday that the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 would remain closed overnight. This closure facilitated the cleanup of debris from the crash site and allowed investigators to determine the official cause of the accident.

No immediate response was received from Caltrans when contacted for comment on Sunday.

As the investigation continues, authorities will work to understand the series of events that led to this devastating crash and take necessary measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident, and we extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives. We hope for a swift recovery for those injured in the crash.