One person was airlifted in a helicopter following a major rush-hour traffic accident involving multiple vehicles and a semi-tractor-trailer that rolled off of eastbound E-470 at East 120th Avenue, authorities say.
The semi-tractor-trailer driver was extricated from his cab after his truck plunged off the highway, according to Brighton Fire Rescue. The westbound lanes of E-470 have now been opened.
The highway had been closed following the 7:28 a.m. chain-reaction crash so that the helicopter could land and pick up injured, according to Trooper Josh Lewis, spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol.
All southbound lanes of E-470 are also closed during the traffic rescue operation.
The semi-tractor-trailer rolled into an embankment following a collision, according to Brighton Fire Rescue. Firefighters are doing a major extrication, according to an 8:03 a.m. fire department tweet.
“We’re still responding to the scene and assessing the injuries,” Lewis said at 7:58 a.m. “We’re getting on-scene right now.”
Update: firefighters have extricated the driver of the semi. The patient will be transported via Air Life.
— Brighton Fire Rescue (@BrightonFire)
It’s not yet known how many people were injured, he said.
Hazardous materials workers have been called in to clean up a diesel fuel spill.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
