2 flown to hospital after tractor-trailer strikes van on Pa. Turnpike

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — Two people were flown to the hospital early Wednesday after a tractor-trailer struck a van on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Beaver County, officials said.

The crash was reported about 1:30 a.m. in the westbound direction of the turnpike between Cranberry and New Castle, which was shut down for several hours.

Officials said the van was reportedly parked on the side of the turnpike when it was hit by the tractor-trailer.

Van is being towed away from crash site. There is so much damage to the front and back of it. Again, 2 people were life flighted & have serious injuries. Amazing that they survived. @WPXI @WPXIJoe @kamenta @WPXITraffic pic.twitter.com/0vOeZ1TfM5
— Gabriella DeLuca (@GabriellaDeLuca) June 27, 2018

The people flown to the hospital suffered serious injuries, but they are expected to survive, officials said.

A lengthy detour was in place.

#BREAKING NEWS: 50 Mile Detour in Place for CLOSURE of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Westbound. NOTE: Due to the High Volume Traffic that the Turnpike Carries, Traffic Must Be Detoured onto Other Major Roadways. Locals May Be Familiar w/ Alt Routes. #wpxi pic.twitter.com/rJeh5mK6f0
— WPXI Traffic (@WPXITraffic) June 27, 2018