Six motorcyclists were injured -- two of them severely -- in a four-motorcycle crash shortly after 11 a.m. Friday on state Highway 1 just north of Pescadero State Beach, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ryan O'Day.

The accident shut down both directions of Highway 1 near Pescadero Creek Road for more than two hours, creating a huge traffic backup of Sunday drivers and beachgoers.

O'Day said the motorcycles had been traveling north together when two of the bikes stopped behind a vehicle preparing to turn onto Pescadero Creek Road.

Two other motorcyclists behind the first two bikes reportedly realized too late that traffic had stopped ahead of them and crashed into the two bikes waiting behind the car, O'Day said. Two of the motorcycles were carrying passengers.

Two CALSTAR helicopters transported five of the six accident victims to Stanford Hospital for treatment.

"Just about every person walked out of the accident with broken bones," O'Day said.

The most severely injured was a man who suffered multiple bone fractures and head trauma. The injuries could be life-threatening, O'Day said Friday afternoon.

Another victim suffered rib fractures, a collapsed lung and face trauma, O'Day said.

La Honda Volunteer Fire Department Capt. C. Whitney said all the victims were conscious when they were airlifted to the hospital.

— Bay City News Service