UPDATE: Motorcycles Crash on Freeway North of Salem‏

All northbound lanes Interstate 5 near milepost 265 reopened following a multiple motorcycle crash this afternoon.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Three people were injured, one critically, in a multiple motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon on northbound Interstate 5, about two miles north of Brooks. Police say names are not available for release. All northbound lanes have reopened.

Police say today at approximately 1:35 PM, a large group of motorcyclists were northbound on Interstate 5 as part of an organized ride that started in the Medford area. During the ride, other motorcycles were joining in.

Near milepost 265 northbound, at least one rider was on the northbound shoulder waiting to join the ride. According to witnesses, the group slowed down to allow him to fall in the back but the motorcycle operator instead attempted to merge into the middle of the group. The motorcycle collided with another motorcycle and they both went down onto the highway.

A third motorcyclist ran over the top of their wreckage, investigators said. Oregon State Police troopers on the scene discovered that a fourth motorcycle was involved but had been moved prior to their arrival.

The first two motorcyclists were transported by ground ambulance to Salem Hospital. The extent of their injuries is not available at this time. The third motorcycle operator was critically injured and transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation. All lanes were closed about 15 minutes to allow for LifeFlight to land. The inside lane has been open but the center and right lanes are closed. Information also indicates Highway 99E has heavy traffic and significant delays continue through the area.

No more information available for release at this time. Source: Oregon State Police