A truck lost control on Ruta 9 near Campana and collided with an oncoming car, killing at least three people and sparking a fire that halted traffic. The crash involved two trucks, a car, and a van, captured on municipal camera footage. Two seriously injured people were taken to a local hospital.
The crash happened on Thursday afternoon at kilometer 73 of the Panamericana highway, heading toward Buenos Aires, near Campana in Buenos Aires province. Reports indicate an Iveco truck bound for Rosario lost control, crossed the guardrail, and struck a Citroën C4 traveling in the opposite direction. The impact crushed the car under the truck, while another Iveco carrying carrots, following behind, collided with the wreckage and burst into flames. A Peugeot Partner van was also involved in the collision.
The three fatalities died from the fire, and their identities remain unconfirmed. Two people with serious injuries were treated by SAME and taken to San José Hospital in Campana. Campana Volunteer Firefighters and Autopistas del Sol personnel took over an hour to extinguish the blaze due to traffic gridlock, causing congestion for several kilometers. Traffic was fully halted in both directions, with diversions to Colectora Sur and the Otamendi bridge.
A Campana municipal camera captured the moment one vehicle veered off and hit the shoulder. Investigators are examining security cameras and road conditions to determine if it was due to mechanical failure or human error. One truck was carrying coils. This incident renews concerns about safety on the Panamericana, where weeks ago another serious crash occurred between Ingeniero Maschwitz and Escobar, involving a car and a parked truck.
Official sources report at least three deaths, though some initial headlines varied; the confirmed number is three.