I-85 reopens after fiery wreck shuts down highway
All lanes on Interstate 85 northbound were reopened before rush hour Wednesday after a tractor-trailer slammed into a bridge near U.S. 29/ N.C. 49 and caught fire.
All of the northbound lanes were closed until 4 p.m. as crews cleaned up debris, including cotton bales the truck was hauling. The shoulder is closed as crews clean up and travelers should still expect delays.
Twenty-three Charlotte firefighters were needed to free two people from the truck. Medic reported treating the injured for life-threatening injuries and taking them to Carolinas Medical Center.
The bridge from North Tryon Street to southbound I-85 was closed due to possible damage from the truck slamming into it, Charlotte fire officials said.
The wreck happened shortly before 5 a.m.
Update MVA w/ 2 Pinned; I-85 N @29/49 split; tractor trailer on fire into bridge; patients are free and transported to area trauma center
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) April 6, 2016
Update MVA w/ Pin In; I-85N; 23FF needed to free both patients in 32 mins; @5:59; JGilmore
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) April 6, 2016
Staff Photographer Davie Hinshaw contributed.
Joe Marusak: 704-358-5067, @jmarusak
This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 5:30 AM with the headline "I-85 reopens after fiery wreck shuts down highway."