RICHMOND – A head-on collision involving two vehicles along Route 12 in Richmond sent four people to the hospital, two of which had to be airlifted with serious injuries.

The Richmond Fire Department arrived at the scene along Route 12, just north of Hill Road, at 3:21 p.m. They immediately found a 43-year-old female driver alongside the road with serious, but not life-threatening injuries, said Richmond FIre Chief Rick Gallas.

The woman had been driving a SUV involved in the crash. Officials also found a 12-year-old boy at the back end of the SUV with similar injuries. The two were airlifted to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

A third passenger in the SUV was taken to Centegra Hospital – McHenry for treatment for less severe injuries, Gallas said.

Officials also quickly extinguished an engine fire in a sedan involved in the crash. The driver, a male in his 60s, also was taken to Centegra in McHenry for treatment, Gallas said.

A third car also was damaged, but the three passengers walked away from the scene without injuries. The department requested five total ambulances and two emergency helicopters. The scene was cleared at 4:15 p.m., with traffic being cut off along Route 12 for 45 minutes.

The Richmond Police Department is investigating the accident. Officials there weren't immediately available for comment.

– Stephen Di Benedetto