DEPUE — A total of seven patients were transported to area hospitals following a two-vehicle head-on collision Friday afternoon on Route 29 between Spring Valley and DePue.

Spring Valley fire chief Todd Bogatitus said traffic on the road was shut down for nearly two hours to clear the wreckage and treat patients. They were dispatched to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m.

“It was a mess at the scene,” he said. “Upon arrival, some patients were already out and some patients were still in the vehicle.”

Spring Valley Fire Department, along with DePue fire department, extinguished the two vehicles — a van and a Buick sedan — which crashed on the steep set of curves between Spring Valley and DePue known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” Bogatitus said both vehicles were smoking upon arrival.

The various patients were transported via 10/33 ambulances, Peru ambulances and a Princeton ambulance to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley, Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, and Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, Bogatitus said.

Bureau County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene and a full police report is pending from the county office. Peru fire department covered Spring Valley’s station while they were out on the call.