GILL — Five people were injured Friday morning in a three-car crash that forced a four-hour closure of Route 2 in Gill just east of Barton Cove, according to police.

At approximately 8:42 a.m., an Audi C5 and a Hyundai Azera collided head on near the intersection of Setback Lane, while a third vehicle, a Toyota Rav4, also was involved. Two of the vehicles were traveling east with the third traveling west. Five people were transported to area hospitals with one being flown by Life Flight from Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield after being transported there by ambulance.

“It appears the westbound vehicle crossed the center line, impacting vehicle one traveling eastbound and the third vehicle collided with the rear of that vehicle,” said Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond Friday afternoon.

While one person suffered what Redmond said he thought was possibly a broken leg, all five people “self-extracted from the vehicles on their own power.” Redmond added he was the first responder on the scene.

All three vehicles were totaled and Koch’s Towing removed them from the scene. The scene was cleared and Route 2 was reopened at 12:44 p.m.

Gill and Turners Falls Fire responded to the crash with Greenfield sending an ambulance. Northfield provided two ambulances with AMR also responding from Greenfield. Gill, Erving and State Police were on scene with Greenfield Police and Franklin County Sheriffs Department helping with traffic control, closing Route 2 at the lights in Gill diverting traffic through Millers Falls.

The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS), detective and crime scene services units also responded. Redmond said the crash remains under investigation.

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