California Highway Patrol officers are still investigating the cause of a nine-car crash that sent six people to the hospital early this morning on southbound Highway 101 lanes at Gaviota.

The only information available on the incident is from Santa Barbara County Fire, which reported that six people suffered moderate injuries and were transported by ambulance to area hospitals.

Four people suffered minor injuries, but refused further treatment, according to fire Capt. David Sadecki.

Emergency personnel was called to the scene, right at the Gaviota curve about a quarter-mile past the rest stop, at 7:18 a.m. today, according to CHP dispatch.

Traffic on the southbound lanes was backed up for at least a mile, a witness said.

Both lanes were closed for a time while the roadway was cleared of the wreckage, CHP dispatch reported.