2 dead in tunnel tragedy

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A fiery multi-truck pile-up in an Interstate 5 tunnel in California has left two people dead and at least eight more injured, it was reported Saturday.

California Highway Patrol dispatcher David Porter told CNN two victims had died and at least eight more were hurt in the Friday night accident in a trucks-only tunnel near Santa Clarita. Fifteen trucks were believed to be involved, CNN reported.

The accident and subsequent shutdown of Interstate 5 left some motorists stranded for several hours.

Inspector Jason Hurd of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said 20 people escaped the tunnel and one person was unaccounted for.

Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp said chunks of concrete broke off the sides of the tunnel and a state Transportation Department spokesman said the tunnel would need “some shoring up.”

"It has impacted the structural stability of the tunnel," Tripp said, but the extent had not been determined.