From the Maine Department of Public Safetyfrom Spokesman Steve McCausland
State Police say the southbound lanes of I-295 have been shut down by Back Bay in Portland following a one vehicle crash. Troopers said a minivan struck the southbound guardrail about 1 pm and two children were thrown from the vehicle. The boy and girl, both elementary school aged, have been taken to Maine Medical Center with serious injuries, although not believed to be life threatening. Also in the vehicle was man and woman who 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 4:30.