FRANKLIN – A head-on collision near the entrance to Webster Valve Inc. on Route 3 that involved a third car sent three people to the hospital Tuesday morning.

Two of the drivers and a passenger involved in the initial collision were airlifted from the accident scene by helicopter with serious injuries, according to state police.

A press release issued by state police indicated the crash occurred at 8:45 a.m. when two vehicles were traveling north on Route 3, and the operator of the first sedan drove over the center line, colliding with the front end of a vehicle traveling southbound. The second northbound vehicle collided with a vehicle in front of it after the initial crash, police said.

Franklin, Tilton/ Northfield, and Sanbornton Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.

The driver of the northbound sedan, a 28-year-old male from Danbury, as well as the driver of the southbound sedan, an 82-year-old male and his passenger, an 80-year-old female, both from Franklin, all sustained serious multiple injuries. Police say all three were transported by helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. The driver of the third vehicle, a 22-year-old female from Concord, was not injured.

Police say all names are being withheld until family members have been notified.