GORST — Four vehicles collided Wednesday morning (June 21) in a major accident on Highway 16 in Gorst, according to the Washington State Patrol.

According to onlookers, the accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of Highway 16 between the two overpasses. Eastbound traffic was observed to be backed up all the way to the Westbay Auto Parts store on Highway 304 in Navy Yard City, past Loxie Eagans Boulevard — a three-mile backup.

One person was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. South Kitsap Fire and Rescue paramedics and EMTs transported four occupants to area hospitals. SKFR extricated an occupant trapped inside one of the vehicles.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the section of roadway since delays are expected to last for several hours while state troopers investigate the cause of the crash.