(Pinal County, Arizona 10-14-11) A major dust storm worked its way from Tucson to Phoenix around midday on Tuesday. The cloud brought zero visibility and wreaked havoc on the I-10. Multiple accidents were reported including one that involved between 15 and 30 vehicles and left one dead. The haboob started around 1pm and, unlike the 5 major ones seen this year, lingered for many hours.

At around 4pm local time, this crash occurred on Westbound I-10 near mile marker 170. (Between Chandler and Casa Grande.) When crews arrived they found 2 elderly people trapped in a car that was lodged under a semi when another semi careened into the vehicle during the height of the dust storm.

Gilla River fire crews quickly worked to extricate the 2 people from the car. Under mutual aid, Maricopa Fire, Sun Lakes Fire South Phoenix Fire crews were able to assist. The victims were removed, alive and coherent, according to a witness of the actual collision, and were transported to local hospitals with life threatening injuries.

Photos and story by Howard WaGGner/News of Maricopa