Seven-Car Pileup on Gyeongbu Expressway... Two People in Their 20s in Cardiac Arrest

SUV Crashes Into Guardrail Followed by Multiple Collisions

A chain collision occurred on the Gyeongbu Expressway, and two men and women in their 20s were rushed to the hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but were ultimately reported dead. The driver claims a vehicle defect.

According to 'Yonhap News,' the incident took place around 6:35 p.m. on the 13th near the Cheongju Rest Area on the Seoul-bound side of the Gyeongbu Expressway in Oksan-myeon, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City. A man in his 50s, driver A, was driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that hit the guardrail on the shoulder and then collided with seven other vehicles in succession.

Seven-car pileup causing traffic congestion on the Gyeongbu Expressway
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result of this accident, two men and women in their 20s who were in the damaged vehicles were transported to the hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but ultimately died, and 12 others were reported to have sustained minor injuries. Additionally, due to the aftermath of the accident, all four lanes heading toward Seoul were closed, causing severe congestion over a 10 km stretch in the area.

In the police investigation, A stated that "the car suddenly stopped responding and tried to stop, hitting the guardrail," and is reportedly claiming a vehicle defect.

The police are investigating witnesses to the accident to determine whether there was a vehicle defect and to clarify the specific circumstances of the accident.