A pickup truck carrying fireworks for a show tonight at Camp Matoaka in Smithfield overturned just after 4 p.m. on Interstate 95 in Sidney, slowing northbound traffic in that area for more than an hour.

Maine State Trooper Chris Rogers said the one-ton pickup, belonging to Atlas Fireworks Pyrovision in New Hampshire, went off the road around mile 117, between Augusta and Sidney exits.

Rogers said the driver, who was alone in the truck, was uninjured. Rogers said the truck was traveling too fast in the heavy rain, hydroplaned and went off one side of the road, got caught in soft dirt and then hit a tree and flipped over.

The truck was towed from the scene and investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the commercial vehicle division of the Maine State Police checked the cargo and the truck at the Sidney exit of I-95.

Rogers said responders ascertained that the explosives were fireworks and that they were sealed and contained in boxes.

He said he anticipated a citation for inadequate tires would be issued.

“That’s why we have inspection standards for people to have tread on tires,” Rogers said. “Fortunately nothing worse happened.”

At one point the slowdown on the interstate reached about nine miles south of the scene.


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