Five occupants of a horse-drawn buggy were sent to the hospital Monday when their carriage was struck from behind by a car in Paradise Township.

The riders, all from southern Lancaster County, were taken to Lancaster General Hospital with injuries, according to state police.

Two of the riders were infants who sustained bumps and bruises, police said.

The buggy operator, 47-year-old Naomi Glick, suffered a broken leg and other injuries, police said.

Katie Zook, 24, and Liz Glick, 20, sustained minor injuries, police said.

Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Michael Kapp said the riders were fortunate they were not more seriously injured.

The buggy was struck about 5 p.m. by a station wagon on Route 741, east of Strasburg, officials said. The speed limit in that area is 50 mph.

Sidney Altman, 81, of Parkesburg, was driving his car west on Route 741 when he spotted the westbound buggy as he crested a hill, police said.

"From what (Altman) said, he just didn't see it in time," Kapp said.

Altman tried to avoid a collision by swerving to his left, police said, but the car's passenger side hit the rear of the buggy.

Altman was not injured. He had not been charged with any violations at press time.

Initially, a SkyCare medical helicopter was dispatched to the scene for one of the infants. The child, however, was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Part of Route 741 was closed for about an hour as police conducted their investigation and the wreckage was cleared from the road.

The condition of the horse could not be determined by press time.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com