CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP — More than a dozen vehicles were involed in an accident Friday afternoon in rural Marquette County. According to a press release from the Chocolay Township Police Departmet, shortly after 1:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of a multi-car accident on M-28 near the Marquette/Alger County line.

Just prior to that accident Chocolay Township Police and Fire had been called to a single-vehicle rollover. Chocolay Township Fire Department was on scene assisting the wrecker driver in removing that vehicle. Police said weather in the area was severe, with white-out conditions, leading to very poor visibility. Due to the previous accident, there was a traffic back up with several vehicles approaching the accident failing to notice the back up and began losing control striking other vehicles.

A Chocolay Township Fire officer and the tow truck driver ran to assist one of the drivers of the accident. While assisting that driver, the vehicle they responded to was struck by another vehicle. This caused the first vehicle to strike the CTFD officer and the tow truck Driver. Police said about 16 other vehicles became involved in this accident.

Chocolay Township Police. Michigan State Police, Marquette County Sheriff and Marquette City responded to the area. Several units shut down M-28 to prevent further injuries. Several patients were transported to UPHS-Marquette and Munising Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Chocolay Township was assisted on the scene by MI DNR Officers, Marquette Township Fire, Marquette Township EMS, Marquette City Fire, UPHS EMS, Alger County EMS, Marquette County Rescue 131, Porky’s Towing, Antilla’s Towing, Mickey’s Towing, Goodwins Towing, J and J Recycling and numerous other agencies and citizens.

After the accident Marq-Tran transported drivers and occupants to Chocolay Township where Marquette County Emergency Management had set up a temporary Shelter. Marquette County Victim Services were called in to assist the parties involved.

According to the release, “Chocolay Township would like to thank all the agencies and citizens that responded to help in our time of need. It would not be possible to handle these types of calls without the support that we received.

Chocolay Township Police and Fire would like to remind Drivers to slow down and give plenty of space to other drivers during winter driving.”