An incoming vehicle hit and killed three people when they stopped to help a woman who struck and killed a black bear on a road in the Florida Everglades, police said.

Seminole Police Department spokesman Gary Bitner said a woman was driving on the two-lane Snake Road just inside Everglades territory when her vehicle hit the bear shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday.

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"Three people from a second vehicle got out and tried to help and all were struck and killed by a third vehicle," Bitner said, adding events apparently unfolded quickly.

"We've never had an accident involving a black bear," he noted. "There are black bears throughout Florida and this is in the Everglades, so there absolutely are black bears in that area."

He said it was after sunset and dark already by that time.

Several others were reported injured in the three-vehicle accident.

He said four people were taken by ambulances, including the woman in the initial crash with the bear.

He added 13 people in total were riding in the three vehicles and four were injured severely enough that they had to be taken by helicopter to a South Florida hospital.

The identities of those involved and the extent of their injuries weren't immediately available, he said, adding accident reconstruction experts were on the scene.

Police said details remained uncertain of precisely how events unfolded or the speed and make of the vehicles.

Authorities added at least two of the vehicles were going in opposite directions.

TagsBlack bear, Florida