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Mar 27, 2008 12:17 am US/Pacific
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Golden Gate Bridge Chain-Reaction Crash; 9 Hurt
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
A collision involving almost a dozen vehicles, including a motorcycle, brought traffic to a standstill for more than 90 minutes along U.S. Highway 101 on the Golden Gate Bridge Wednesday afternoon.
At least nine people were injured in the pile-up, including an 11-month-old infant, according to San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Mindy Talmadge.
Two victims were hospitalized in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, three others were considered in serious condition and four of those hurt suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Eight of the nine victims were transported to San Francisco General Hospital; one was taken to Marin General Hospital.
Dispatchers said the collision occurred at 2:40 p.m. between the mid-span and the north tower of the world-famous bridge, which is a vital link between San Francisco and points north.
All six lanes of the bridge were closed after the accident, which involved ten or 11 vehicles total.
The California Highway Patrol said a Volvo station wagon traveling north crossed into the southbound lanes and caused the chain-reaction crash when it struck another car head-on.
Then, a motorcyclist traveling southbound crashed into the two initial cars that had hit head-on, according to rescue workers. The motorcyclist went flying off his bike and landed in the street. Emergency crews said the motorcyclist's protective gear likely saved his life.
Officials reopened the bridge after the crash site was cleared, about 4:20 p.m.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)