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NEAR NOVINGER, MO. -- UPDATE: 3:35 P.M.

Diane Western, spokesperson for Northeast Regional Medical Center, said the three people transported to the hospital have been treated and released.

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Three people were taken to the hospital after being involved in a three car crash on Route 6 Thursday morning.

The crash happened around 10:45 a.m., just east of Novinger, Mo. Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Cary Porter said the vehicles were approaching a construction zone when the accident happened.

"Two vehicles were stopped waiting for the stop light in the construction zone on the west end of the construction zone and a third vehicle hit one vehicle and pushed it into the second," said Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Cary Porter.  "It is a three vehicle accident. That's what the preliminary evidence is showing me at this point in time."

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Bessie Sherwood, 80, of Orrick, Mo. and Ruth Pieske, 81, of Green City, Mo. were transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Sherwood was driving the vehicle the third vehicle and Pieske was her passenger.

Also transported was Gary Scholes, 61, of New London, Mo. He was driving the pickup truck in the middle of the crash. He had minor injuries.

William Lake, 71, of Kirksville, Mo. was driving the first vehicle in the crash that was stopped at the construction light. He walked away from the scene without injury.

Porter said two of the drivers and one passenger have been taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

After transporting the injured, authorities had to clear up traffic, which was backed up for about a quarter of mile.

The Adair County Sheriff's Office and the Adair County Ambulance District assisted on scene.