Nine people were injured Saturday in a five-vehicle chain collision inside the Goduk Tunnel on the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway [1], [2].
The accident underscores the high risks of tunnel transit, where limited visibility and confined space can turn minor braking errors into multi-car disasters.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do [1], [2]. According to reports, four vehicles traveling in the same lane collided in sequence before striking a fifth vehicle in the adjacent lane [1]. Other accounts describe the sequence as a sedan hitting another sedan, followed by two SUVs being rear-ended [2].
Emergency responders treated nine injured individuals [1]. One 60-year-old man went into cardiac arrest following the impact [1]. While one source reported the remaining eight injuries as minor [1], another report indicated that a second 60-year-old man suffered a serious injury involving impaired consciousness [2].
Police conducted sobriety tests on the drivers involved. A police spokesperson said that no alcohol was detected during the measurements [1]. Investigators said the crash was caused by a failure to maintain a safe following distance [1].
The Goduk Tunnel is a critical segment of the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway, which connects major hubs in South Korea. The pile-up caused significant disruptions to traffic flow on Saturday afternoon as crews worked to clear the wreckage and transport the injured to nearby hospitals [1], [2].
“Nine people were injured Saturday in a five-vehicle chain collision inside the Goduk Tunnel.”
This incident highlights the critical importance of following-distance compliance in tunnel environments, where the lack of escape routes and sudden changes in lighting can increase the severity of rear-end collisions. The discrepancy in injury reports suggests a chaotic initial scene, but the police finding of no alcohol involvement shifts the focus toward driver attentiveness and speed management on the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway.
