AUGUSTA: A day after the snow had been plowed and the 75 vehicles involved in Wednesday morning’s snowy pile-up had been moved off I95 in Carmel and Etna, state Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said the crash was “likely the largest motor vehicle crash in state history.”

McCausland said Maine State Police troopers Thursday were continuing to compile the paperwork from the multitude of crashes, interviewing motorists involved and reviewing photos take at the site to help determine the sequence of the chain reaction collisions.

He also submitted additional photos taken at the scene, one in particular showing Hermon Fire Capt. Chandler Corriveau, also a full-time Bangor firefighter, standing on top of some of the vehicles helping direct first responders and troopers to check on the many motorists still inside their wrecked vehicles.

ETNA: A Wednesday evening update from the Maine Department of Public Safety reported that more than 70 vehicles were involved in the Interstate pileup this morning in Carmel and Etna, with 50 of the vehicles having to be towed. The number of injured climbed to 17, who were treated at Bangor hospitals.

An afternoon update from the Maine Department of Public Safety about the 40-vehicle crash on I-95: One lane of Interstate 95 in Etna is now open following this morning’s multi-vehicle crash, which shut the northbound lanes at 7:30 am. Most of the wrecks have been removed, but there continues to be a few tractor trailers in the roadway, which motorists will have to steer around.  Three DOT plow trucks are in the area to clear the snow that accumulated during the morning. Northbound motorists who want to avoid the area, should take the Newport exit and use Route 2.  

State Police now say 14 people were injured in this morning’s Interstate pileup in Etna.  All were transported to Bangor hospitals and at least two of the injured are in serious condition.  A fleet of wreckers are now removing the wrecks and troopers are in hopes to open up one lane on the northbound side in the next hour or so.

The main crash involved more than 25 vehicles and there is a series of other wrecks leading up to that crash site.  Some of those other crashes involved two or three vehicles each, and then other vehcile went off the road to avoid collisions.  In all, more than 40 vehicles were involved. 

One of the vehicles was a school bus with three passengers. The students were shaken up, but not injured.  

From the Maine Dept. of Public Safety, Feb. 25, 9 a.m.: “Troopers now say there may be more than 40 vehicles involved in the Interstate pileup in Etna that has closed the northbound lanes.  The last of the injured are being extricated from the wrecks.  There have been no fatalities; however a couple of the injured appear to be in serious condition.  One veteran State Trooper described the crash site as a "giant pile of metal.”  Heavy snow continues to fall at the crash site, which is between Newport and Bangor.  Northbound motorists should take the Newport exit to avoid the crash site.  Interstate 95 will be closed for the remainder of the morning.”

The crash involves many cars, a school bus and a tractor trailer.  The collisions began around 7:30 a.m. in heavy snow that was falling in the area.