WESTBROOK – State police say a Westbrook man is in critical condition after he was thrown out of his vehicle as it spun out of control on Interstate 295 in Bowdoinham early Tuesday afternoon.

Larry Huff, 67, suffered multiple injuries when he was thrown out the passenger-side door of van he was driving.

Trooper Christopher Rogers said Huff lost control of his Chevrolet van as he was attempting to pass another vehicle. It struck a guard rail and came to rest along the tree line off the roadway, at mile 36 on the southbound side. The van did not overturn.

The impact of the crash catapulted Huff over his passenger, who was wearing his seat belt. Huff was flown by the Lifeflight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Huff was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The passenger, 31-year-old Haze McDougal of Portland, stayed inside the van, and had only minor injuries.

The southbound lanes were shutdown for about 30 minutes while the helicopter landed at the crash site. Traffic then was reduced to one lane for an additional hour while the wreck was removed.