A Chevette sits on Highway 218 with a ruined front end as emergency crews tend to the occupants of a minivan after the vehicle collided Saturday morning south of Austin. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Three people were taken to the hospital Saturday morning following a two-vehicle crash just south of Austin.

The accident occurred just before 10 a.m. about a mile south of Austin when a small hatchback traveling eastbound off of Mower County Road 28 turned in front of and was struck by a northbound minivan on U.S. Highway 218.

The minivan then left the road and slid down the east embankment where it came to a rest in a yard.

Emergency crews take an occupant of a minivan to a waiting ambulance following an accident Saturday morning on Highway 218 South just outside of Austin. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

The driver of the hatchback along with the driver and a passenger of the minivan were taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin by Gold Cross Ambulance. The extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.

The Minnesota State Patrol, the Mower County Sheriff’s Department and the Austin Fire Department responded.