Three-Vehicle Collision and Fire on Namhae Expressway in Changwon Leaves Six with Minor Injuries

Firefighters are conducting extinguishing operations on a vehicle that caught fire after a collision. Photo by Changwon Fire Headquarters

At approximately 1:11 p.m. on January 14, a passenger car traveling in the fourth lane near the Dongchangwon Interchange (IC) on the Namhae Expressway toward Busan in Dong-eup, Uichang-gu, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, collided with the rear of a 2.5-ton truck ahead of it.

Both vehicles were propelled toward the first lane, where they were struck again by a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

As a result of the accident, the truck toppled to the right, and the passenger car caught fire, burning one car completely and half of the truck.

The fire was fully extinguished by the fire authorities who responded to the scene at around 2:00 p.m. that day, but the incident caused property damage estimated at approximately 15 million won, according to the fire department.

A total of six people-men in their 60s, 40s, and 30s, a woman in her 30s, and two boys-who were in the three vehicles, sustained minor injuries such as pain in the waist, neck, ankle, and head, and were transported to the hospital.

Due to the aftermath of the accident, severe congestion occurred for about two hours, stretching for 5 kilometers behind the accident site.

According to the police, none of the drivers involved in the accident were under the influence of alcohol or driving without a license.

The police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident through driver statements and analysis of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.