Winter Chaos on A66 as Truck Crashes and Snow Snarl Traffic in East Hesse

A fiery truck crash and seven accidents turn the A66 into a frozen nightmare. Police warn drivers to brace for hours of delays in treacherous conditions.

, and Administrator

2026 January 2 . 9:09 PM

1 min read

This is an image clicked in the dark. Here I can see the snowfall and there are two vehicles on the... — This is an image clicked in the dark. Here I can see the snowfall and there are two vehicles on the road.

Winter Chaos on A66 as Truck Crashes and Snow Snarl Traffic in East Hesse

Heavy snow and icy roads have caused chaos on the A66 motorway between Schlüchtern-Nord and Steinau in East Hesse. Multiple truck incidents, including breakdowns, crashes and a fire, have led to severe delays and lane closures.

Police in the region have confirmed at least seven separate accidents along this stretch of the motorway.

The first major disruption began when a truck overturned and caught fire just before the Schlüchtern-Süd junction. The blaze forced authorities to temporarily shut the Frankfurt-bound carriageway while emergency crews worked at the scene.

Another truck became stuck on the entrance ramp at Schlüchtern-Süd, blocking traffic trying to join the motorway. Nearby, a broken-down lorry in the exit lane at the same junction added to the congestion.

Between Schlüchtern-Nord and Schlüchtern-Süd, two more trucks broke down—one on the hard shoulder and another in the right lane—causing further slowdowns. Earlier, a vehicle had been stranded sideways across the road at Schlüchtern-Nord but was later moved to the hard shoulder.

The situation worsened when a truck crashed into the guardrail between the exit and entrance ramps at the Steinau junction. The collision left the road partially blocked, forcing drivers to navigate around the obstruction.

Police have urged motorists to expect significant delays and allow extra travel time. Conditions remain hazardous due to continuing snowfall and icy patches on the road.

The Hessian Police continue to monitor the affected section of the A66 as recovery teams work to clear the stranded vehicles. Drivers are being advised to check for live traffic updates before setting out and to exercise extreme caution in the area. The combination of winter weather and multiple incidents has made this route particularly treacherous for travellers.