Four people were injured in a three-car accident on Route 228 west of Route 8 in Middlesex Township on Friday afternoon.

MIDDLESEX TWP — Four people were injured Friday afternoon following a three-car accident that shut down busy Route 228 for more than an hour.

The accident occurred at about 1:30 p.m., just west of a stretch of road known as Ball’s Bend.

Police Sgt. Randy Ruediger with the township police said a red Chevrolet Cavalier traveling east collided head-on with a blue Ford Escape going west.

A third vehicle being driven west also was involved.

The woman driving the Cavalier was flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital with what authorities believed to be severe injuries.

She had to be extricated from the car.

A male passenger in the car, as well as the two other drivers, also sustained unknown injuries.

Authorities said everyone was conscious on arrival. None of the individuals involved were identified.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Ruediger said at the scene that the busy road has its share of accidents.

“Route 228 carries a lot of traffic and is probably getting worse as time goes along,” he said.

Three volunteer fire companies responded to the scene along with two ambulance services.