CORRECTION: A previous copy incorrectly identified the date of the incident. The error has been corrected.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Two juveniles were pronounced dead Tuesday afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash that closed all southbound lanes of I-81.

Traffic was backed up for five miles and investigators say rubbernecking was the main cause of the delays. Fritzi Schreffler says this is something that can be avoided.

“It is a natural reaction to stare when you pass an accident scene,” Schreffler said. “But people were driving by and rolling down their windows and taking pictures and video.”

The incident cleared and opened back up to traffic at a little past 8:30 p.m.

The closure affected all southbound lanes from exit 52: US 11/I-76 Turnpike-Middlesex to exit 57: PA 114-Mechanicsburg for roughly three hours.

This is a developing story. abc27 will provide updates as they become available.