Multiple injuries were reported in a head-on collision that closed Route 209 in Coaldale for more than an hour Monday evening.

Tamaqua police were dispatched to the area of 600 E. Water St./Route 209 just after 6 p.m. for a report of a crash with an unconscious person.

Officers arrived to find a vehicle driven by James Lukas, Lansford, on an embankment. Police said Lukas was inside the vehicle as emergency personnel tended to him.

Another vehicle driven by Jeffrey Heffner, Morea, was partially on the berm. Heffner said he was driving west when the Lukas vehicle entered his lane of travel and struck his vehicle head-on.

Heffner and his passenger, R. Robert Williams, Summit Hill, were taken to St. Luke’s Miners Campus by ambulance for treatment.

A witness said that for some unknown reason, the Lukas vehicle traveled into the oncoming lane and struck the Heffner vehicle. A man who lives near where the crash occurred showed police video footage, which police said shows Lukas’ vehicle traveling into the other lane. Police said Heffner slowed to an almost-stop before being struck head-on.

Officers spoke to Heffner on Tuesday and learned that he had two broken ribs. Williams had bruising in his sternum area. Both were wearing safety belts and were released from the hospital.

Lukas told police Tuesday that he does not remember much about the crash but believes he fell asleep at the wheel. He suffered a cracked sternum and other injuries.

Both vehicles suffered extensive damage and were removed by Hope’s Towing.

The road was closed for approximately one hour.