Mass Accident on the M-11 Neva Highway Leaves Several Dead and Dozens Stranded as Snow Drifts and Slippery Roads Halt Traffic
Alexei, a resident of the Leningrad Region who was involved in the multi-vehicle collision on the M-11 Neva federal highway, told socialbites.ca that traffic heading toward Moscow would resume within five hours at most. He attributed the crash, which involved 41 cars, to hazardous road conditions that were described as “terrible.”
The collision occurred around 11 a.m. Officials reported that the roadway was covered with fresh snow and ice, creating widespread slipperiness and obscuring lanes. Alexei explained that the surface was not collapsed, and there was no sprinkler system operating on site. He said he found himself at the epicenter, effectively trapped in the crush of vehicles. He described a scene where a main pile of wreckage formed in a single area, with about 20 cars colliding in one spot. He noted two vehicles behind him were severely damaged and could not be restored. He and his wife had been driving about 90 kilometers when the road conditions grew perilous, particularly given the high snowdrifts along the right-hand fender that helped keep his car’s integrity somewhat intact.
He recalled that the flow of traffic was so heavy that a passenger car in which a woman was traveling at the moment of impact was pushed underneath a truck in front of it, leading to fatal injuries. He offered his condolences to the deceased woman’s family, adding that two children had managed to escape the car and called for their mother’s help as the tragedy unfolded, only to be met with streaming injuries and chaos. He added that Sunday traffic tended to be heavier as people were returning home, and many did not have time to react to the danger surrounding them.
Rescuers and bystanders faced hours in the open as they waited for aid. The Emergencies Ministry reported that a field camp was established around 3 p.m., with a bus bringing warmth and tents to the area. He described the camp as lacking a toilet facility and noted that while men could seek shelter more easily, women had to hide behind trucks for privacy and safety.
Alexei anticipated that the highway would reopen before midnight, once specialists from the Emergencies Ministry remove the mangled wreckage that resembled a growing dumpster of twisted metal. He estimated another five hours of idle time remained, explaining that his own vehicle avoided the worst of the collision while he braked in time to miss several vehicles ahead. He warned that the traffic would remain blocked until the forward and rear piles could be cleared, preventing any movement in both directions. He described the current conditions as one lane in the opposite direction toward Saint Petersburg and occasional single-car passage as crews work to restore order.
The incident on the 503rd kilometer of the highway in the Malovishersky district of the Novgorod region resulted in a total of 41 vehicles colliding. Official reports confirmed one fatality and five injuries, including four children and one woman who were hospitalized. The crash also caused a four-kilometer traffic jam and spilled bitumen from a tank in one of the trucks involved, though the emergency response was later contained. The authorities have since coordinated cleanup and traffic management measures to prevent further danger as weather conditions persist across the corridor. According to eyewitness accounts and official statements, the accident underscored the significant risk posed by heavy snowfall and slick road surfaces in rapid winter shifts, and highlighted the need for cautious travel and timely road maintenance during severe weather conditions. This narrative is supported by on-scene video footage and official briefings, which are attributed to the involved parties and public safety agencies.>