West Seattle traffic alert update: Bridge crash cleared

Thanks to the WSB’er who just texted us to point out there’s a crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, on the upslope. You can see it in the left westbound lanes in the east-facing camera image above (at least as of when we checked it). No word yet about injuries but there’s a sizable fire response and scanner traffic says it’s blocking three lanes. If you are outside West Seattle and headed this way – go for the low bridge or the 1st Avenue South bridge TFN.

ADDED 7:29 PM: It’s a multiple-vehicle crash and right now traffic is only “creeping by” (as described on the scanner) via the shoulders, as shown by this photo we just received:

Some of the Seattle Fire responders have been cleared from the scene, per the scanner, which is our sole source of information as this is an area virtually impossible to get to for in-person reporting.

8:09 PM UPDATE: Looks like the scene should be clear soon, as the updated webcam shows tow trucks are there.

8:15 PM UPDATE: And the scanner confirms … all lanes now open.

Irene April 1, 2012 (7:20 pm)

Almost got caught in it but took the low bridge instead (which was clear). Several fire/medic units on scene.

Kevin April 1, 2012 (7:20 pm)

I wish I read this 5 minutes ago!

west seattlite April 1, 2012 (7:32 pm)

That looks brutal! I hope everyone involved will be okay. Bad accidents happen to good drivers too….

Lou April 1, 2012 (7:32 pm)

really…already commenting on bad drivers. Do you even know how it happened? Hope everyone is ok. Accidents do happen and not just from bad drivers.

WSB April 1, 2012 (7:37 pm)

Sorry, that one shouldn’t have gone through. We don’t have any idea how it happened (and still don’t have any idea about injuries – would usually have heard radio traffic about major injuries by now so hoping nobody was badly hurt) – TR

Harry Reems April 1, 2012 (7:41 pm)

I think it’s fairly obvious that there is a lot of bad driving on the Bridge, otherwise it wouldn’t be patrolled on a regular basis by the ADRT.

WSB April 1, 2012 (8:04 pm)

In this case, we likely will never know, these things are all but impossible to follow up on – we cover them on a “you need to know about the backup” basis. As another commenter pointed out, tow trucks are now visible on the webcam, so we hope to be publishing an “all clear” shortly. No way of knowing whether this factored in, but drivers would have been heading directly into the glare of the setting sun at the time this happened. – TR