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Three patients were transported to area hospitals after a three-vehicle crash on the 26300 block of state Route 410 East between Bonney Lake and Buckley just before 8 a.m. today, closing the roadway in both directions for an hour. East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” and other technical rescue tools to extricate a driver from one of the vehicles.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a vehicle traveling westbound slowed to make a left turn onto 262^nd Avenue East and was hit from behind. The force of the collision pushed the vehicle into oncoming traffic, when it was hit by a minivan.

“Despite the severity of the crash, none of the patients suffered life-threatening injuries,” said East Pierce Battalion Chief Rick Goetz.

Washington State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.