RINDGE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Emergency crews from Rindge and surrounding towns responded Friday afternoon to a serious two-vehicle collision at the intersection of U.S. Route 202 and Perkins Road that left two adults hospitalized and involved three children.

Fire and police units were dispatched shortly before noon after reports of a crash involving multiple injuries. Upon arrival, responders found a Honda minivan and a Volkswagen SUV off the roadway in separate locations. The minivan had gone into a ditch and was smoking, while the SUV had traveled into the woods.

According to officials, the minivan was occupied by an adult driver and a juvenile passenger, both of whom were still inside the vehicle when crews arrived. The SUV carried one adult and two children. Although no one was trapped, all occupants required assistance getting out of the vehicles.

Due to the number and severity of injuries, additional ambulances were requested, along with a mutual aid engine company. The driver of the Honda minivan sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center’s University Campus in Worcester, Massachusetts. A landing zone was established at the Cathedral of the Pines to accommodate the helicopter.

The juvenile passenger from the minivan was transported by ground ambulance to the same hospital with serious injuries. The adult driver of the Volkswagen SUV was taken to Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough with minor injuries. The two children riding in the SUV were examined at the scene, found to be uninjured, and later released to a family member.

A preliminary investigation by Rindge police indicates the minivan failed to stop at a posted stop sign before entering Route 202. The crash remains under investigation, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Officer Tyler Yoder of the Rindge Police Department.

Fire officials noted the incident occurred during weekday hours when many volunteer responders are working outside of town, underscoring the importance of the department’s expanded daytime staffing. Mutual aid departments were credited for their assistance at the scene.