Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A triple overlength semi transporting heavy machinery overturned outside Playa del Carmen late Thursday. The accident happened during evening rush hour traffic near Punta Maroma.
The semi, which was traveling south, overturned, losing its heavy machinery load on the side of the federal highway. A long line of highway traffic quickly developed leaving drivers at a standstill.
More than a dozen National Guard vehicles were at the scene along with both state and municipal authorities due to the size of the rollover. Both lanes of the federal 307 heading from Puerto Morelos into Playa del Carmen were completely shut for hours while authorities sorted out the mess.
At least seven tow trucks, five of which were industrial, were brought in since the spilled pieces of heavy machinery needed to be up righted and moved before the semi flatbed could be returned to its own wheels.
Both lanes of the federal 307 were shut for more than five hours. One lane was eventually opened to relieved the kilometers-long line of backed up traffic for drivers heading south into Riviera Maya.
A cause for the accident was not provided, however, authorities are continuing to investigate what happened.
