Insane Video Of A Snowy Multi-Vehicle Pileup Near Kansas City Must Be Seen To Be Believed

Via Missouri State Highway Patrol

In subfreezing temperatures, snowy conditions can quickly spell doom for untreated roads and highways, and that’s precisely what happened on Missouri’s Interstate 70 just east of Kansas City on Friday afternoon. After the snow had been falling at a rate of about an inch per hour since mid-morning, it didn’t take much to trigger a multi-vehicle car crash — with as many as 47 cars involved — that left many injured and at least one person dead.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel explained why the harrowing conditions were ripe for such a deadly incident.

“In addition to the snow, it was very cold, 10-15 degrees F, while the snow was falling. So, snow was able to immediately accumulate on roadways.” Samuhel added.

“If there was heavy traffic present, it’s not out of the question the traffic caused the snow to melt. Once melted, it would refreeze almost instantly producing icy conditions,” Samuhel said.

Video of the scene was caught from inside a semi truck that pulled over in the middle of the mayhem, which was tweeted by KCTV5 News producer Dante Jones and quickly racked up several million views. “Unbelievable footage from the pileup on I-70 today,” Jones wrote. “My jaw dropped to the floor first time I saw this video.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also shared some images of the deadly crash:

Others began commenting or sharing the footage of the crash to express their astonishment, or praise the dude filming for ignoring his lady friend and choosing to stay put in the truck:

https://twitter.com/Kno/status/1096574781774716929

https://twitter.com/benwegmann/status/1096580821799133184

Another person added video footage from the opposing lane that drives home the full scope of the pileup:

https://twitter.com/cayabadabadoo/status/1096582841972994048

And despite the seriousness of the crash, there was at least one apt AOC joke:

Until the spring thaws the country out, if nothing else this serves as a reminder for everyone to stay safe in wintry conditions.