Morning crash blocked lanes of US 278 on Hilton Head for hours. Traffic finally flowing

An accident blocked portions of U.S. 278 near Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island around 7:30 a.m. Friday, officials reported.

Google Maps and traffic cams showed that traffic was clear in Bluffton and on Hilton Head around 11:37 a.m.

Hilton Head Fire and Rescue was sent to the scene at 7:02 a.m. The accident included five vehicles: a minivan, a black Nissan Altima, a garbage truck and two other unidentified vehicles.

Two people were initially transported to Hilton Head Hospital. A third person, who had initially refused treatment, was taken to the hospital at 8:54 a.m., said Joheida Fister, spokeswoman for Hilton Head Fire and Rescue.

All eastbound lanes and the left westbound lane initially were blocked, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials cleared the scene at 8:11 a.m and traffic cameras showed that all lanes were reopened around 8:15 a.m.

Google Maps showed Bluffton Parkway also had heavy traffic in the eastbound lanes due to the incident around 8:49 a.m. On U.S. 278 traffic started to flow, but coming onto the island was still backed up near Sawmill Creek Road around 10:05 a.m.

Vehicles were at a standstill headed onto the island at least as far back as Malphrus Road in Bluffton before the scene was cleared.

Lanes also were backed up headed off the island starting near the Cross Island Parkway.

This story was originally published November 9, 2018 at 7:42 AM.