3 children among 6 killed in head-on car crash in Tennessee

MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- Six people, including three children, have been killed in a crash in eastern Tennessee, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.

One adult and two children survived, CBA affiliate WVLT reports.

The crash happened Thursday night when a vehicle going the wrong way on U.S. 411 South in Blount County hit a minivan carrying eight people head-on, Sgt. Bill Miller said. Miller says the drivers of both vehicles were killed.

In addition, the front passenger in the minivan was killed, as well as three children. WVLT reports that an infant was among the casualties.

Three others were injured, though the extent of their injuries wasn't clear. According to media reports, they were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Police haven't released the names of those involved in the crash.

The highway, which was shut down after the crash, has reopened.

Highway Patrol Lt. Don Boshears said it was a difficult scene for first responders.

"It's terrible for first responders, it's terrible for everybody. These things, you know loss of life is so precious, and when you lose so much in one setting it's almost compounding," Boshears said. "I really don't know that I can explain it. We have adults and children who have both lost their lives and it's very, very tragic."