Five out of seven people traveling inside an SUV on holiday weekend getaway killed after their vehicle crossed median on South Carolina interstate and slammed into two tractor trailers

Five out of seven people traveling inside a SUV were killed on Thursday after their vehicle crossed an interstate median in South Carolina and hit two tractor trailers, state troopers said.

The 2001 Chevrolet was heading east on Interstate 26 near Orangeburg when the driver lost control around 12:30pm Thursday, South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Tyler Tidwell said.

The SUV went through a cable median barrier and into the westbound lanes, hitting two 18-wheelers and then overturned before coming to a rest, Tidwell said. 

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Five people died following a crash on Interstate 26 in Orangeburg County in South Carolina

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 The collision took place around 12:40pm in the westbound lanes

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The collision saw traffic backed up for miles on Thursday afternoon

Two people in the SUV survived the wreck, although troopers didn't know their conditions. Both truck drivers were not injured. 

Jamison Fire Department Chief Kirk Davis said a tractor-trailer caught fire.

The drivers of both tractor-trailers were also not injured and were wearing seatbelts, Tidwell said.

Tidwell said troopers have not determined where everyone in the SUV was sitting at the time of the wreck.

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State troopers say an SUV went off the left side of the road into the median, struck the median cables, and went into the westbound lanes

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The SUV struck two tractor trailers killing five while two others went to hospital

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The road was closed for several hours while investigators worked at the scene of the crash

The names of the people inside the SUV have not yet been released.

A special team of state troopers is investigating to determine what caused the SUV to lose control and cross the median, Tidwell said.

The wreck happened between the U.S. Highway 601 and state Highway 33 exits on I-26.     

Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director Billy Staley said the severity of the accident serves as a good reminder for motorists to use caution during the long holiday weekend.

'Wear your seat belts and obey the law,' he said. 'Drive safely. It is a holiday weekend and there are a lot of people on the highway.' 

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and its Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team are investigating the accident. 

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The drivers of the tractor-trailers were not seriously hurt. Those involved in the crash have not yet been publicly identified. Pictured, a maintenance worker examines the median 

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Investigators worked at the side of the road as they tried to work out what caused the cras