Traffic Accident on Thrace Motorway Near Chirpan – 3 Injured

A multi-vehicle collision occurred on February 21st at the 178th kilometer of the Trakia Highway near Chirpan, Bulgaria, impacting traffic flow in the direction of Sofia. Initial reports indicate that three individuals sustained injuries in the incident.

Details of the Incident

Emergency services received notification of the crash at 11:24 hours. The collision involved three passenger vehicles: one driven by a 19-year-old woman, another by a 50-year-old man, and a third driven by a 36-year-old woman who was among those injured. Two passengers in the 50-year-old man’s vehicle – a 42-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl – also suffered injuries and received medical attention. Authorities confirmed that all three drivers tested negative for alcohol consumption.

Did You Know? The crash required firefighters to use cutting equipment to extricate the driver from one of the vehicles due to the extent of the damage.

Traffic Disruption and Diversions

Following the accident, traffic on the Trakia Highway was initially restricted to the emergency lane. The active and speed lanes were closed, causing significant congestion. Traffic flow was later restored. Heavy goods vehicles were diverted via an alternate route: Road Junction “Chirpan” – Road II-66 – Road Junction “Svoboda” – Trakia Highway /at km 184/. Police regulated traffic in the affected area.

Expert Insight: Multi-vehicle collisions on major highways often lead to substantial delays and require coordinated responses from emergency services and traffic management authorities to ensure public safety and restore normal traffic patterns.

The incident occurred shortly after another reported collision involving a snowplow and a passenger vehicle on the Sofia-Varna road, as reported by NOVA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time did the accident occur?

The accident was reported at 11:24 hours.

How many people were injured in the crash?

Three people were injured: a 36-year-old woman driving one of the vehicles, a 42-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl who were passengers in another vehicle.

Was alcohol a factor in the crash?

No, all three drivers involved tested negative for alcohol consumption.

What factors might contribute to traffic incidents on major highways like the Trakia?