Snow Turns NH Highways into Parking Lots, Crash Scenes

CONCORD, NH — About two to three inches of snow that fell across the state of New Hampshire caused numerous accidents and hazardous road conditions for morning commuters on Dec, 5, 2016, according to alerts online. The crashes appear to have started just after 6 a.m. as snow began to blanket already freezing cold roads.

Within an hour, crashes were being reported in Boscawen, Concord, Hampstead, Pelham, Merrimack, and Nashua.

In Hampstead, a school bus crashed on Main Street near Depot at 7 a.m. In Concord, about 10 minutes later, a school bus was unable to navigate up Auburn Street due to untreated streets. A truck in Plaistow was involved in a crash on Plaistow Road-Route 125 and reportedly spilled fuel after the crash. A hazmat team was later called in, according to Rockingham Alerts.

Various police departments around the state began reporting multiple accidents in their communities due to snow that was turning major corridors like Route 101 and the Everett Turnpike into glistening, white parking lots.

“Route 101 between Covenant Way & Wallace Road is experiencing heavy delays due to multiple vehicles stuck in the roadway,” the Bedford Police Department reported at 7:08 a.m. on Twitter.

Both Keys Hill Road and Sherburne Road in Pelham were completely shut down due to icy conditions.

At 7:44 a.m., Salem Police also took to Twitter and stated, “Roads are extremely slippery!! Drive SLOW. Bunch of accidents already!”

Route 28 in Londonderry was completely shut down at just before 8 a.m. due to numerous vehicles stuck and blocking the road while crashes were reported all along the southbound side of I-93 in from Exit 18 to Ext 12 in Concord, as well as Exit 9 in Hooksett.

Crashes were also reported in Portsmouth on Route 33 and Islington Road. Police issued an alert to commuters asking them to slow down and be polite.

At just before 9 a.m., online alerts were still reporting problems on I-93 and the Everett Turnpike in both directions as commuters attempted to get to work. Numerous crashes were also reported in Concord, Nashua, Newington, Plaistow, and northern Massachusetts, according to alerts online.

Goffstown Police and Fire and Rescue teams reported 16 calls for service for vehicles off the road, with varying amounts of damage, according to Lt. Thomas Hammond.

"Thankfully, no injuries were sustained," he said. "This was a good reminder to slow down and plan for a slow commute during inclement weather. Also remember to take time to clean your vehicle of snow and ice to ensure maximum visibility."

Credit: Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography FrameodMindPhoto.com.