One person was injured when a wind turbine blade broke loose from a truck and crashed onto Interstate 70 in Maryland. The incident occurred early Monday morning, around 5:30 a.m., in Washington County, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.
A tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on I-70 when the blade struck a guardrail. This caused the blade to swing into the eastbound lanes, where it was hit by another truck. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the individual involved were not life-threatening, and they were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The accident led to significant traffic disruptions, with all westbound lanes of I-70 closed at the junction with I-81. Two eastbound lanes were also shut down as crews worked to clear the scene. The highway was reopened by 8:28 a.m., after heavy tow crews managed to move the truck back onto the westbound lanes.
Images from a Maryland Department of Transportation camera captured the dramatic scene, showing the large wind turbine blade lying across the highway. The incident highlights the potential dangers of transporting oversized loads on busy highways.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to prevent similar incidents in the future.