Single Vehicle Accident Shuts Down Southbound Lanes on I-295

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland the southbound lanes of I-295 have been shut down by Back Bay in Portland following a single vehicle accident.

State police say a minivan struck the southbound guardrail about 1pm and two children were thrown from the vehicle. A boy and girl, both elementary school aged, have been taken to Maine Medical Center with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. A man and woman who were also in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

The crash has caused a major traffic backup of the southbound lanes into Portland on Interstate 295, and motorists are being advised to seek alternate routes, such as Route 1 or the Maine Turnpike. Troopers say they hope to have the wreckage cleared by 4:30pm.