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Oklahoma highway crash – Several hospitalized after trucks collide in fiery pile-up as snowstorm batters the Midwest
A FIERY crash involving two semis has led to multiple people being injured in a pileup on a snowy Oklahoma highway during a "dangerous" winter storm.
The crash – involving two semis and multiple other vehicles – led to multiple people being reportedly rushed to the hospital.
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KOKH-TV reported the injuries as dramatic video emerged showing smoke billowing from the vehicles after the crash on the highway
One clip shared by showed massive flames billowing from the pile-up scene as snow continued to fall on the highway.
The Highway Patrol shared pictures of blazing vehicles on social media.
Firefighters were seen working to extinguish the smoke and flames from the blazing vehicles.
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The front cabs of two semis were seen completely crushed.
Other pictures circulating social media showed traffic backed up on the highway as emergency response vehicles were stopped with their lights on.
"We are currently working this injury crash on the Turner Turnpike westbound near Post Road," Oklahoma Highway Patrol said in a statement.
"This is involving multiple semis and passenger vehicles.
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"Traffic is being diverted at Hogback Road."
Highway Patrol advised: "Just a reminder - do not get out if you don’t have to."
It was not immediately clear how many people were injured in the crash, or the condition in which they were taken to the hospital.
Officials said the interstate could be closed for up to eight hours as they work to clear the scene, KOKH reported.
The crash came as snow fell in Oklahoma – with a warning being issued of a "dangerous" winter storm.
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Maps from the showed the entire state of Oklahoma in a Winter Storm Warning.
A system was sweeping from Texas and going northeast up to Maine, maps show.
The dramatic highway crash came as a snowstorm blanketed large areas of the country on Sunday evening, from the Midwest to Texas' Gulf Coast.
The unpredictable weather forced Governor Gregg Abbott to declare a state of emergency due to the "extremely dangerous" conditions in his state on Sunday.
In Houston, officials have warned that power outages and hazardous roads may be in similar conditions to a Category 5 hurricane, the Associated Press reported.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center, said parts of the southern plains may see up to 12 inches of snow.
The NWS anticipates that eight to 12 inches of snow may blanket central Oklahoma, while eastern Texas to the Ohio Valley may see around four to eight inches.
Elsewhere, snow covered Del Rio, near the US-Mexico border as around 200 million Americans are set to be impacted by the plummeting temperatures.
Hundreds of flights have been canceled in anticipation of the storm, and over 3,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to help with welfare checks, the AP reported.
"Dangerous and life-threatening situations could occur should drivers become stranded in the storm," Oklahoma's Department of Transportation said in an advisory.
"Travel is highly discouraged at this time."
The agency warned: "Blowing snow with slick and hazardous spots will continue to hamper clearing operations and visibility for travel statewide, particularly in northwestern Oklahoma and the Panhandle."
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Oklahoma Turnpikes said in a statement on the crash that the area has "extremely poor visibility" as it advised people to "avoid the area."
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In addition to the fiery crash in Oklahoma, several multiple-vehicle pileups were reported by the Texas Highway Patrol.
The AP reported one of the crashes involved around 25 vehicles.
130 vehicle pile-up in Fort Worth, Texas leaves ‘six people dead' and many injured after multiple cars and trucks crash on icy I-35
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