Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news event. This post will be updated as new information develops.
Saturday, August 1, 11:45
The Seward Highway re-opened Friday around 11:15 p.m. after an approximately 10 hour closure. The man who died at the scene was identified by troopers as 55-year-old John Zollner III, of Anchorage.
4:30 p.m. :
Alaska State Troopers Public Information Officer Megan Peters wrote in an email that the Seward Highway is likely to be closed until 8 p.m. due to the wreck.
3:00 p.m. :
According to an email from Alaska State Troopers Public Information Officer Megan Peters, the crash involved approximately seven vehicles, including a tour bus. Medical responders, including ground ambulances and a helicopter, have reportedly transported three critically-injured people. An unknown number of other injured victims remain at the scene. One fatality has been confirmed. In addition to the Alaska State Troopers, the Girdwood Fire Department and the Anchorage Police Department are responding to the incident. The highways remains closed.
Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Shannon McCarthy wrote in an email that the “hazardous materials” referred to in an earlier notification were spilled fuel from wrecked vehicles.
1:50 p.m.:
Alaska State Troopers were called about the multiple-vehicle accident at 12:18 p.m., said Public Information Officer Megan Peters. Peters said she is not yet aware of any hazardous materials surrounding the accident at milepost 80 of the Seward Highway.
The Seward Highway is experiencing a closure due to a “serious wreck” at milepost 80 of the highway, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Multiple vehicles were involved in the accident 10 miles south of Girdwood, and the Alaska Department of Transportation’s 511 website is advising “long delays” for motorists.
There is “at least one person with reported serious injures,” AST Public Information Officer Megan Peters said in an email.
There is no estimated duration for the road closure. Peters said more information will follow “after Troopers get it all sorted.”
The accident involves “hazardous materials,” according to an announcement from the Department of Transportation.
