An elderly woman celebrating her 94th birthday lost her life, and eight others were injured—including three children—when the van they were traveling in collided with a fuel tanker on the Florida Turnpike on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The tragic accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time near the 595 and Griffin Road exit in Broward County, affecting the southbound lanes and causing major traffic disruption in the area. As a result of the crash, one adult was airlifted to Broward General Hospital in critical condition, while the other seven injured, including the three minors—one of whom is just two years old—were transported by ambulance for medical treatment.
The injured children include two girls, aged nine and eight, and a young boy just two years old. The other injured adults are the 42-year-old van driver, a 27-year-old man, and three women aged 30, 38, and 60. All injured individuals are currently in stable condition and are expected to survive. Fortunately, the tanker driver was unharmed.
According to Plantation fire officials, none of the van's occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Aerial footage captured by local South Florida media showed a white van with severe front-end damage alongside other vehicles that appeared to be involved.
A rescue helicopter landed on the highway to assist with emergency operations, while traffic was completely halted in the aftermath of the crash. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collision.