Ten vehicles in four separate crashes slowed traffic on Interstate 95 along the Augusta-Hallowell line Tuesday afternoon for more than two hours.
Reports on emergency communications radio of a multi-car crash were aired shortly after 3 p.m.
Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said initial indications are that drivers were caught by surprise after the first crash, and traffic began to back up on the highway. He provided no information on what caused the first crash.
Augusta Fire and Rescue issued an alert about the crash, which occurred about 4 p.m. at mile 107, just south of the Western Avenue exits in Augusta, and warned drivers to expect delays.
Maine State Police reported about 4:20 p.m. that the crashes caused backups in the southbound lanes. Several wreckers had been dispatched to clear the vehicles and several minor injuries have been reported.
By 4:45 p.m., McCausland said, the wrecks had been removed and that traffic backups were expected for the evening commute.
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