BIDDEFORD -- A serious accident today on the Maine Turnpike has left one person dead, state police said.

The accident occurred at mile 31 southbound on the highway and involved at least three vehicles. It appears to have involved a pickup truck, a van and a sedan. State police said initial reports indicate that the accident occurred when a vehicle traveling north on the turnpike hit the guardrail and went over it, coming to rest in the southbound lane.

Southbound traffic is at a near-standstill because of the accident. Police urge drivers headed south on the Turnpike to exit at Saco to avoid the crash site.

Staff photo by Giselle Goodman
Accident scene as photographed with cell phone.

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