HERMISTON — A multivehicle crash Monday near Hermiston landed nine people in the hospital, seven who were critically injured.

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dispatch Center received reports around 5 p.m. of a crash involving several vehicles on Umatilla River Road near Cooney Lane outside Hermiston.

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 responded to the emergency. The fire district upon arrival immediately requested additional resources due to the number of casualties, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office reported seven suffered critical injuries, including two patients younger than age 10. Ambulances took the injured to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, and Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston.

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office reported the preliminary investigation indicated three vehicles were involved. A vehicle traveling south on Umatilla River Road struck a vehicle heading north. The third vehicle got involved attempting to avoid the others.

The sheriff’s office said it could not release additional information. The investigation remains ongoing.