Authorities said at least 12 crashes involving 47 vehicles on Interstate 75 were blocking southbound traffic heading toward southwest Florida.
 
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the collisions happened Friday afternoon near the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties. FHP said 52 people were hurt, 22 were flown to nearby hospitals and another 30 were treated at the scene. No fatalities were reported.
 
The roadway is expected to remain closed into Friday evening. All southbound lanes were still shut down Friday night. 

FHP said traffic was being diverted onto University Parkway and then allowed to re-enter the interstate on the other side of the overpass.
 
Authorities didn't immediately report the cause of the collisions.