Breezewood--Two chain-reaction wrecks involving more than 20 vehicles killed four people Saturday and forced the closure of a 60-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, police said.
Fog may have played a role in the accidents, both of which occurred about five miles from the Breezewood exit, said Bill Capone, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
At least 27 people were injured, three critically, authorities said.
``I heard people screaming and cars banging together _ screaming, hollering, banging and explosions,'' said Sam Blizzard, 65, of Sam's Mountain Auction, a few hundred feet from the turnpike.
The second pileup involving five vehicles occurred about 10 to 15 minutes later in the westbound lanes, Capone said.
After about eight hours, one westbound lane of the turnpike reopened.
Breezewood is about 100 miles east-southeast of Pittsburgh.
