Northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed north of Seymour for more than an hour Wednesday afternoon because of two separate accidents within minutes of each other in the construction zone.
The southbound lanes of I-65 were closed first at about 1:15 p.m. near the 60 mile marker due to an overturned sport utility vehicle. Minor injuries were reported, Indiana State Police said.
Jackson County Emergency Medical Services was sent to go northbound in the southbound lanes to the scene as traffic was blocking Bartholomew County first responders from getting to the accident.
A short time after state troopers began working the SUV accident, the northbound lanes at the 55 mile marker were closed for a recreational vehicle that crashed into the median and caught fire. The occupants were able to escape the vehicle, state police said.
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Northbound traffic was diverted off the interstate for the northbound lanes at the 50 mile marker in Seymour.
Large black clouds of smoke could be seen near the interstate overpass near Exit 55. Firefighters quickly extinguished flames, leaving behind only the frame of the RV.
No other vehicle was involved in that wreck.
Both of the accidents were within the construction zone where contractors are widening the interstate from two to three lanes from south of Columbus to Seymour.
The southbound lanes reopened from the SUV accident at 2:10 p.m. An ambulance was sent to the traffic backup at the scene for a medical issue in one of the cars stopped because of the incident.
A semi driver also asked dispatchers to send the fire department to wet down his load of pigs in a semi stopped on the interstate in the hot temperatures.