Four children were hurt, three critically, in a crash near Crothersville over the weekend on Interstate 65.

The three-vehicle crash happened at about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Indiana State Police report that a car suddenly slowed near the 38 mile marker, causing a van driven by 41-year-old April Bickel of Elwood to swerve. Her van was then struck by a car.

An 8-year-old girl, 6-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy in Bickel’s van were flown by helicopter to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville with life-threatening injuries. A 4-year-old girl in Bickel’s vehicle was taken by ambulance to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Bickel was taken to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment and the driver of the car, 59-year-old Jeffery L. Ireland of North Carolina was treated for minor injuries.

State police report that the southbound lanes of I-65 near the 38 mile marker were closed for approximately two hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing.