A van carrying six children crashed into a ditch for unknown reasons Sunday. All six were injured, three with life-threatening injuries, officials said.

They were trauma alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital.

All other occupants, including the driver, were also transported to Lee Memorial Hospital for medical attention.

The crash happened in the 900 block Nott Road, 300 feet south from Pine Island Road at 6:30 p.m. when a Hyundai mini-van driven by Mary E. Jones, 35, of 1127 SW 18 Avenue, Cape Coral, was headed south on Nott Road in the 800 block. For unknown reasons, the van drove off the left (east) shoulder of the roadway and into a ditch, officials said. The van sideswiped a tree causing crushing damage to the driver’s side, then continued south another 40 feet and struck a tree head on.

Jones suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash.

The names of the children were not released. Injuries reported include:

*PASSENGER 1: 2-year-old boy

PASSENGER 1 INJURIES: Suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash

* PASSENGER 2: Juvenile female (exact age unknown at time of this release)

PASSENGER 2 INJURIES: Suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash

*PASSENGER 3: 5-year-old boy

PASSENGER 3 INJURIES: Suffered life-threatening injuries in the traffic crash

* PASSENGER 4: 10-year-old girl

PASSENGER 4 INJURIES: Suffered serious bodily injuries in the traffic crash

^PASSENGER 5: 10-year-old boy

PASSENGER 5 INJURIES: Suffered life-threatening injuries in the traffic crash.

* PASSENGER 6: 7-year-old boy

PASSENGER 6 INJURIES: Suffered minor injuries in the traffic crash.

Based on all evidence, the crash is alcohol/drug related, police reported Monday.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department