21-vehicle pileup blocks traffic on Highway 16

A 21-vehicle pileup halted traffic along Highway 16 near Mundare for several hours Sunday afternoon.

RCMP say they were called to the scene of the crash between Range Road 184 and Range Road 185 around 2 p.m.

Initial reports suggested only about 10 vehicles were involved in the crash it wasnt until emergency crews arrived on scene that it was discovered there were actually 21 vehicles involved.

Emergency crews were called from Chipman, Lamont, Mundare, Prairie, Beaver and Strathcona County to help deal with the wreckage.

Three people had to be extracted from their vehicles and were taken to nearby hospitals.

Others were taken by bus to a nearby community hall to be treated for minor injuries.

Eastbound traffic along the highway has now been re-routed to avoid the crash site as police investigate.