Law enforcement and aid units responding to a crash this morning about 6:30am reported the I-5 roadway by the Nooksack River was covered in black ice.
About 6:30am, a multiple vehicle crash was reported in the southbound lanes of I-5 in the area of the Nooksack River bridge, between the Portal Way and Main Street interchanges.
Black ice is a big issue right now in #ferndale . Several spin outs SB I-5 at Main and the aftermath visible here. Nothing blocked. This is just south of an overpass. Remember bridges/ramps freeze quicker. pic.twitter.com/fNOsHduOwZ
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 6, 2017
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Law enforcement stopped both lanes of I-5 southbound at the Nooksack River bridge between 6:30am and 7:30am.
Whatcom County Fire District 7 Fire Chief Larry Hoffman said 5 people were treated for injuries at the crash scene. 3 of the 5 were transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center, 2 by ambulance and 1 by a family member. Hoffman said all had non-life threatening injuries.
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Hoffman said this should serve as a reminder to drivers when temperatures are near or below freezing — be cautious when driving over bridges and overpasses since they are the most susceptible to icing.
Story updates as they occurred
7:15am – aid crews have cleared the scene. Vehicles still need to be towed from the crash site. One lane is expected to be opened shortly and a request for a sand truck has been made.
7:22am – Vehicles involved in the crash(es) have been cleared from the lanes of travel.
7:32am – Both lanes of southbound I-5 have been reopened to traffic.
The story was updated at 9:15am to include information from Fire Chief Larry Hoffman.
Boy, it sure snarled traffic in town. I had to be in My Vernon by 8, and ended up stuck on Portal after being turned back. I headed over to Douglas Rd to Slater to I5. By that time, it was reopened. All the more reason to push for more bridges over the river.
Yeah, let’s fund a new bridge, just so one person can make it to Mount Vernon on time