Tragic Accident On Egnatia Motorway Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] A devastating car accident at the Polymylos toll station on the Egnatia Motorway, between Veria and Kozani, claimed the lives of two people and injured four others on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at approximately 4 p.m. The collision involved three vehicles, with the charred remains of two passengers found in one of the cars. The victims were occupants of the second vehicle involved. Four others sustained minor injuries, with two individuals treated at a hospital in Veria for bruises and the other two at a hospital in Kozani. How the Accident Unfolded According to preliminary reports, a car stopped at a toll booth equipped with an e-pass transponder, but the barrier failed to lift, prompting the driver to reverse. Due to dense fog reducing visibility, the following car was unable to stop in time and collided with the first vehicle. A truck carrying glass jars for preserves, driven by a Ukrainian national, then crashed into the second car, exacerbating the tragedy. Local residents have raised concerns about recurring accidents at this location, citing frequent fog and poor visibility as contributing factors. Toll Booth Employee Narrowly Escapes Among the injured was a toll booth employee, who was taken to the hospital by her father. Miraculously, she was stationed at an adjacent booth when the accident occurred. The booth that caught fire and was completely destroyed was unoccupied at the time. Truck Driver Arrested Authorities arrested the truck driver, who sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital. The driver, a Ukrainian citizen, will undergo toxicological tests as part of an ongoing investigation into the cause and circumstances of the crash. Massive Traffic Disruptions The accident caused significant disruptions, with traffic jams stretching over 22 kilometres. Hundreds of drivers were stranded for hours as the Egnatia Motorway came to a standstill. After approximately two and a half hours, police implemented diversions, allowing traffic to resume via an alternative route at the Polymylos toll station. Second Incident Reported Reports indicate that a second minor accident occurred near the toll station shortly after the first, resulting in one additional injury. Authorities are investigating both incidents to determine any connections or contributing factors. The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about safety measures on the Egnatia Motorway, particularly at toll stations prone to hazardous weather conditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3MRsgb0MAQ[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]