One might expect to lose their life in a hurricane or a tornado, but a dust storm? Well, it’s happened in Montana, to six people.
On Friday evening a dust storm led to a 21 car pile up in Big Horn County, Montana, leaving six people dead and more than thirty people injured.
“The Montana Highway Patrol is on the scene with other first responders and investigating the incident,” Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. “This investigation is still ongoing. We will release more information as it becomes available and is appropriate out of respect of the lives lost and their loved ones.”
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte tweeted, “I’m deeply saddened by the news of a mass casualty crash near Hardin. Please join me in prayer to lift up the victims and their loved ones. We’re grateful to our first responders for their service.”
Ariel Dehart drove up on the crash moments after it happened. “The visibility was so poor and scary,” she said. “The air was warm and eerie. It was like wearing sepia-colored glasses. It was so crazy.”
Jose Strickland barely avoided the pileup, stopping just behind a truck. “Visibility dropped in an instant,” he told CNN. “I still can’t get over the fact that we were 1 truck away from disaster.”
None of us know how much time we have left on this earth. It’s doubtful anyone left that day thinking they’d be injured, or even killed, by a dust storm. This is a good reminder to enjoy every moment and always be prepared. Maybe keep more stopping distance too. Have you ever seen a dust storm just blow up like that?
