MARY ESTHER — Two people were killed and six others were injured Thursday afternoon in a six-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 98 just east of Hurlburt Field’s main gate.
Both fatalities were in the same vehicle, said Capt. Joey Boudreaux with the Mary Esther Fire Department.
The other victims were taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Boudreaux said.
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View a video from the scene of the wreck >>
The Florida Highway Patrol was still investigating the accident Thursday night. The circumstances of the wreck and identities of those involved were not available.
The crash occurred in the westbound lanes just before 1:30 p.m., according to the FHP’s website.
The westbound lanes were closed for five hours. Although the eastbound lanes were used two-way traffic, the going was slow and motorists were backed up in both directions.
One of the vehicles in the crash was a 28-foot box truck owned by McAleer’s Office Furniture, which has stores Pensacola and in Mobile, Ala.
Jim McAleer, the store’s owner, said the truck’s driver worked at the Pensacola store. McAleer, who was driving from Mobile to the crash site, said he believed the driver was still at the scene at 5 p.m.
“He is very upset,” McAleer said. “Extremely upset. He can barely talk.”
He declined to give the driver’s name and said he didn’t know exactly what happened.
“We just pray for the people who were killed,” McAleer said.
In addition to the FHP and Mary Esther, help came from Hurlburt Field, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Florosa and Ocean City-Wright fire departments and Okaloosa County Special Operations.
Boudreaux said it was the first time he’s seen so many agencies working together.
Hurlburt Field brought a crane and three forklifts to help lift the vehicles. Firefighters also had their extrication gear.
With a heat index of 124, staying cool was a challenge, especially while wearing fire gear to protect against the twisted pieces of metal, Boudreaux said.
Okaloosa County EMS dropped off patients at the hospital and returned with wet towels for rescuers. Crews were rotated at the scene so workers could stay hydrated, Boudreaux said.
“It was a combined effort from everybody,” he said.