Police are asking drivers to avoid the area

Update 4:47pm: Video shared from Fulton County Area News on Facebook shows how devastating the crash scene was. 

Update 2:38pm: The driver of the Honda was taken to St. Mary's in Amsterdam with minor injuries. The Trooper's injuries are not considered life-threatening. New York State Police provided a photo of the scene:

Update 2:26pm: CBS 6 reports a New York State Trooper was seriously hurt after a tractor (without a trailer) rear-ended his patrol car during a traffic stop near Exit 26 on the Thruway. The Trooper was thrown over a guardrail and down an embankment. He is in serious condition at Albany Med. 

All westbound lanes of the New York State Thruway were closed Friday afternoon following a crash east of Amsterdam.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the closure began at 12:39 p.m. and affected a roughly two-mile stretch between Pattersonville and Rotterdam Junction. By 1:40 p.m., traffic was reported as slow or stopped in the area.

State Police said the closure was just west of Exit 26.

It’s still not known what caused the crash or when the highway will fully reopen. Drivers should use a different route if possible.