8 hurt in 10-vehicle wreck during West Texas dust storm

RANKIN, Texas (AP) — Authorities blame a West Texas dust storm for a 10-vehicle pileup that left eight people hurt, including one traveler in critical condition.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the accident happened late Sunday afternoon on Highway 349 about 15 miles north of Rankin. The National Weather Service reported thata gusts topped 40 mph during scattered storms.

Upton County Sheriff Dan Brown said nearby fields were recently plowed and dirt blew across the highway, causing zero visibility. Brown said nobody could see and “everybody hit everybody.”

DPS Sgt. Oscar Villarreal said the victims were from two separate collisions. A spokeswoman at Midland Memorial Hospital said one person who was critically injured was later transported to another hospital. Seven people were treated and released.

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The highway reopened early Monday.