One dead, five injured in crash on Interstate 81

An accident on northbound Intestate 81 near exit 6 this evening has claimed the life of one person and injured five others.

The crash, which involved seven vehicles including a tractor-trailer, happened around 5 p.m.

According to a press release from Maryland State Police, one person was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and four others were transported by ambulance to Meritus Medical Center. Conditions are unknown at this time.

Due to the extensive crash scene and the investigation into this fatal crash, troopers have had to close northbound I-81 at exit 6. Northbound traffic is being diverted off onto exit 6, but is able to get right back onto northbound I-81, north of the crash site.  Southbound traffic is not affected, but traffic is slow on both the north and southbound sides. State Highway Administration personnel are on the scene assisting with the detour.

The interstate is expected to be closed for several hours as the investigation is conducted and vehicles and debris are removed.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Maryland State Police.