An elderly man was in critical condition and four others were injured in a four-vehicle crash east of Manotick this afternoon.

The collision between a flatbed truck, two SUVs and a pickup truck happened on Mitch Owens road near Emerald Links Drive at about 2:30 p.m.

The elderly man was taken to the Ottawa Hospital trauma centre with critical injuries.

Another 59-year-old man was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition with shoulder and spinal injuries.

Three other people were treated at the scene, but declined to be taken to hospital.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.