UPDATE: I-75 Reopens Near Brandon After Major Accident

Five people are in critical condition following the Aug. 3 accident on Interstate 75, just north of State Road 60 in Brandon, that involved eight cars and a semi-truck and sent seven adults to area hospitals, according to Ronnie Rivera, spokesperson for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

One man had to be extricated from a car that was wedged between the semi and a concrete guard rail, fire officials said, a process that took an hour. He was airlifted to an area trauma center. 

"It is amazing that we had no fatalities, especially considering the (extrication) that was necessary," Rivera said in a telephone interview, Aug. 3 at 3:15 p.m. 

The interstate reopened Saturday afternoon, according to several media reports.

Multiple casualties were transported to Tampa General Hospital, Rivera said. He said he did not know if, or what, other hospitals were involved.

No names of the injured had yet been released.

The accident occurred at about 11:57 p.m.; Hillsborough County Fire Rescue left the scene at about 2:15 p.m., he added. Also responding were first responders from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation.

— Update posted by Brandon Patch Local Editor Linda Chion Kenney

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Earlier:

A "mass casualty" accident involving 10 cars has shut down Interstate 75 southbound, north of State Road 60 in Brandon, fire officials said Saturday afternoon.

Multiple units from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue were on the scene shortly after noon Saturday, Aug. 3, spokesperson Ronnie Rivera said in a media release.

The accident involved "multiple patients and multiple cars," Rivera said.

All patients have been transported to local hospitals and the Florida Highway Patrol is handling the scene now. 

I-75 southbound is still closed. 

— Original post written by Associate Regional Editor Jason Bartolone

Patch will provide you with more updates as they are available.