Tappan Zee Bridge Closed Due to Major Accident

A tractor trailer carrying watermelons was involved in a major accident on the Tappan Zee Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River about 30 miles North of New York City. The truck was apparently rear-ended and then crossed the center median, crashing into another vehicle and bursting into flames.

One person was killed and several others injured.

According to state police, the tractor trailer was heading south to Westchester when it was struck on the side in the rear by a car. The truck then rolled over into the northbound lanes, hitting a car, state police said.

One of the vehicles became fully engulfed in flames and belched a large plume of smoke visible for several miles.

"It was huge. There was big black smoke and a huge ball of fire," said Angela Ruolo, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash from Piermont Avenue in South Nyack.

Gorden Wren Jr., Rockland's fire and emergency services coordinator, said the truck driver was killed.

Three others with minor injuries were taken to Nyack Hospital and two people refused medical attention at the scene.

Southbound traffic on the New York State Thruway headed to the closed bridge was turned around about 150 feet north from the bridge abutment in South Nyack as part of the Thruway Authority's traffic diversion plan and directed onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway or local roads.

The bridge is closed in both directions until further notice, causing major traffic headaches for people trying to get home tonight. The bridge, part of the New York State Thruway, carries I-87 and I-287 between Rockland and Westchester Counties.

The next closest bridges across the Hudson are the George Washington Bridge and the Bear Mountain Bridge, which means that people trying to cross the Hudson River tonight are in for a very long detour.

UPDATE 7/2/2007:
The bridge was reopened in time for the morning rush hour, but the investigation continues into how and why the accident occurred.