Tractor Trailer Rollover Snarls Turnpike

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - All southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike Extension were shut down for hours on Tuesday after a multi-vehicle accident near the SW 8th Street exit.

Chopper 4 over the accident scene spotted a rolled over tractor-trailer and eight badly damaged vehicles. One of those vehicles, a car, was partially lodged under a section of tractor trailer.

The tractor-trailer was pulling two cargo sections - one of which ended up partially blocking a northbound lane.

Rescue crews worked frantically to free a person trapped in a van whose front end was crushed and facing to the north. They were able to free the injured driver who was placed in ambulance.

Two people injured in the crash were taken to the hospital. One was taken to Kendall Regional Medical Center as a trauma alert.

A hazardous materials team was called out because there was a fuel spill.

CLICK HERE to watch CBS4's report

The Florida Highway Patrol said the chain reaction crash happened around 7:45 a.m. It started when a wheelbarrow tumbled off the back of a pick up truck. The tractor trailer, which was heading northbound, jacknifed trying to avoid hitting it and ended up overturned in the southbound lanes.

Three vehicles heading nroth hit the truck and guard rail. Three other vehicles heading south also hit the truck.

The closure of the lanes backed traffic up for miles. Traffic headed southbound was diverted to the NW 41st Street and NW 12th Street exits.