Three snow removal workers killed in New Year car crash on Istanbul highway

Three workers were killed after a driver crashed into a snow removal team clearing the road on the main highway to Istanbul early on Jan. 1.

The accident took place at 7 a.m. near the Ümraniye district on Istanbul's Asian side. 

A driver crashed into the snow removal team alongside snow ploughing vehicles after losing control in the icy conditions. 

Health teams dispatched to the scene found that three workers had died at the scene of the accident. The killed staff members were identified as Alican Gürkan, Selahattin Karaman and Abdullah Ceylan.

After a survey by crime scene investigation officials, the bodies were taken to the morgue at the nearby Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. 

Istanbul police have opened an investigation into the collision.

In Photos: Turkey provides assistance in rare UN-backed swap dealHürriyet's Sebati Karakurt photographs Diyarbak?r's Sur amid curfew and clashesIn Photos: Istanbul welcomes 2016 covered in snowIn photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfewIn Photos: Marks of violence visible across Nusaybin after lifting of curfewIn Photos: Turkey celebrates Christmas Eve with services Halfeti - A town of mesmerizing beautyExhibition shows Istanbul through eyes of children Secret weapons of Turkish army: locally produced rocket launchers, missile systemsThe bugs of Ankara: The weirdest scenes that anyone can run into in Turkish capitalA bird's eye view tour of Turkey's eastern provinces of Van and HakkariTurkish man with four wives has his 32nd childTurkish police raid Koza ?pek's media HQ in...