Two women were seriously injured Saturday evening in a head-on collision on Highway 154 near Santa Barbara, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The 3-vehicle crash, which shut down the highway in both directions, occurred shortly before 6 p.m. just west of San Antonio Creek Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Seven other people sustained minor injuries but refused transport to the hospital, fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

The two women were taken by AMR ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with moderate injuries.

Their names and details on their conditions were not available.

Two patients had to be extricated from the wreckage, Safechuck said, adding that the highway was expected to remain shut down until about 7 p.m.

The collision was under investigation by the CHP.