UPDATE: Crash Closes Northbound Spaulding Turnpike, 1 Dead
UPDATE: The story was updated to show one person has died.
One person has died in a crash that closed the northbound Spaulding Turnpike Monday afternoon in Dover.
The closure north of the Little Bay Bridge caused multi-mile delays in both directions. The left lane was closed on the southbound side after the crash, but the lanes were completely closed around 5 p.m. north of Exit 7 for Route 108.
NH State Police confirmed at 4:40 p.m. that one person died in the crash, but did not disclose the circumstances of the crash. They anticipated the road would be closed for several hours.
The Rockingham Alert Facebook page reports that a southbound tractor trailer crossed over into the northbound lanes and hit several vehicles. Aerial footage by WCVB TV showed a jackknifed tractor trailer with a crumpled hood and caved in tires, but none of the other vehicles involved.
As many as three vehicles may be involved, according to the Strafford County Scanner Alerts Facebook page. The tractor trailer is leaking fuel.
Traffic is being diverted off the road at Exit 6 for Route 4. Route 108 and Route 236 in Maine picked up some alternative traffic volume.
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH