70-vehicle pileup in Colorado

Emergency crews worked for hours to clear the wreckage and rescue stranded motorists after a series of separate collisions snarled the eastbound lanes of the highway.

While dozens were hurt, officials reported no fatalities in what they described as a chaotic and dangerous scene.

The Colorado State Patrol has urged drivers to avoid the area and allow extra time for travel as winter weather continues to impact the region.

The pileup is one of the largest in the state's history and highlights the extreme risks of mountain driving during spring storms.