CAMDEN (AP) – The 18th annual National Toboggan Championships were temporarily suspended following an accident that sent six people to the hospital.

Paramedic Jane Moore of Camden First Aid Association said two toboggans were involved in a crash at the bottom of the toboggan chute at about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Jeff Kuller, manager of the Camden Snow Bowl where the event is held, said one four-person toboggan turned on its side at the bottom of the 400-foot chute and had not been cleared when a second toboggan came down the chute and crashed into it. He says six people were hurt.

Moore says one person was flown by medical helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center, with the others taken by ambulance to Penobscot Bay Medical Center.

Kuller did not disclose the nature of the injuries, but says they are not considered life-threatening. The names of the injured were not released and the incident remains under investigation.

About 400 teams from as far away as Georgia and California had signed up for this year’s competition. Teams compete by riding toboggans down the toboggan chute onto a frozen pond.

Kuller says the event will resume this morning. “We’re just thankful that it wasn’t more serious,” he said.

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