NEWBURYPORT -- The northbound lanes of Interstate 95 are closed indefinitely as officials deal with 2,500 gallon fuel spill a quarter-mile north of Route 113 in Newburyport that has leaked into the Merrimack River.

Officials at the scene are saying the northbound lanes could be closed all day due to the massive fuel spill, which is being contained by sandbags and foam while a fire truck pumps water and foam onto the tanker, which is still sitting on its side.

Officials fear fuel has leaked into the Merrimack River and into backyards near the accident. Booms may be used at Spring Lane to contain any gasoline entering the water. The Coast Guard is directing all boat traffic away from the spill.

Two other cars were involved in the incident, with a total of nine injured, two critically. Some of the victims are said to be in their late teens and early 20s.

An SUV rolled could be seen on its side sitting in a southbound lane, with a tarp over it. Two people were Medflighted from the scene. Three others have been taken to Anna Jaques Hospital, while other victims are at hospitals in Portsmouth and Exeter. The driver of the tanker is at the scene.

Access to nearby overpasses, including Ferry Lane, is also blocked. The neighborhoods around the accident are dealing with gas fumes and other possible impacts from the spill.

All traffic has been rerouted around the incident. Northbound traffic is being directed to I-495. Southbound traffic is limited to one lane, and is also being sent to Route 113 and Route 1. That has lead to traffic backups along Route 1 in Newbury and Newburyport, in Salisbury Square, on High Street in Newburyport and other nearby roads.

MassHighway is currently evaluating whether to allow trucks over the Hines Bridge, which currently has a 3 ton weight limit due to recent repairs.

At 11:30 a.m., safety officials began the task of righting the tanker.

All four lanes of traffic were immediately closed when the tanker rolled over at about 9:15 a.m., spilling hundreds of gallons of fuel.

HazMat officials and a foam truck is on the scene, as well as Enpro, an environmental cleanup company. The state Department of Environmental Protection has built burms around storm drains to limit leakage into the river, but some fuel did enter the storm drains.