On Sunday evening, December 14, the A9 motorway was completely closed at one point for about an hour: According to the Verkehrspolizeiinspektion Bayreuth, just before 7 p.m., a serious traffic accident involving five vehicles occurred on the route towards Berlin shortly before the Marktschorgast junction in Upper Franconia. Two people sustained serious injuries, and two others were slightly injured. As a result, the roadway had to remain closed for an extended period.
What happened? According to the Verkehrspolizeiinspektion Bayreuth, a 53-year-old driver attempted to overtake a truck driving in the right lane with his van. However, the maneuver failed as he apparently underestimated the truck’s low speed. He collided with the truck.
The impact caused the van to be pushed to the left and, following another contact, it went into a skid, the police reported. But that was not all: Three vehicles traveling behind also crashed into the already involved vehicles.
Several nearby fire departments and emergency services responded to the scene. According to the police, the four injured people were taken to local hospitals for treatment. None of the victims are said to be in life-threatening condition.
The highway had to be completely closed due to leaked fluids and the need to recover the damaged vehicles. Traffic was diverted at the "Himmelkron"-junction. As a result, nothing moved on the A9 there until around 8:30 p.m., when the full closure and detour were lifted. Until approximately 10:30 p.m., police directed traffic past the accident site on a single lane. The police estimate the total damage at no less than €180,000.