Mattress blamed for Skyway crashes

BRADENTON - Traffic was backed up on the northbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge this morning after a crash involving several cars.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at least five vehicles were involved in the crash near the south fishing pier on the Manatee County side of the bridge. It all started when an unknown vehicle swerved, presumably to avoid a mattress in the road.

That vehicle, listed as "unknown" in the accident report, set off a chain reaction that involved left four other vehicles damaged.

Four people suffered minor injuries, and one person was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Both lanes were blocked by emergency vehicles after the crash, but traffic was flowing again by 10 a.m.