By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

PELHAM – Three people died and another two people were transported to area hospitals following a fiery four-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 between Pelham and Alabaster.

Alabama state troopers responded to the crash in the northbound lanes near the 241 mile marker at about 1:40 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Troopers confirmed there were two fatalities on the scene, and one person who was airlifted to UAB Hospital died of her injuries shortly after 7 p.m. Another person was transported to Shelby Baptist Medical Center.

The crash forced troopers to close I-65 northbound, causing traffic to be diverted onto U.S. 31 between exits 238 and 242 for more than two hours. The interstate had reopened to traffic by 4 p.m.

“Police officers are working traffic control in other parts of the city to try to alleviate congestion. Please be patient if you are traveling anywhere in the Pelham City Limits,” read a Pelham Fire Department Facebook post.

In addition to state troopers and the PFD, the Pelham Police Department, Alabaster Fire Department and Alabaster Police Department responded to the wreck.