CONWAY — A bear triggered a crash on Route 16 that sent four people to the hospital, police said.

“A bear came out on the side of the road and as the (southbound) car swerved to avoid it, it swerved into the northbound lane and struck a northbound vehicle,” said police Cpl. Michael Boucher.

The 350- to 400-pound bear “ran into the side of the car” on Route 16 in an area between the village and the commercial strip around 10:30 a.m., Boucher said.

The injured bear had to be put down, he said. Boucher didn't have information on how seriously the four injured adults were, but said one was ejected from a vehicle.

They were taken to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.