Five people were injured, one critically, Tuesday night when their van left New Franklin Road north of LaGrange in a sharp curve that has been the location of other serious accidents.

Jeanette Holloway, 80, of Wedowee, Ala., was flown by helicopter to Columbus Medical Center, where she was in critical condition this morning in the intensive-care unit. She suffered head injuries, apparently when her head hit the ceiling or one of the seats, said Troup County fire Capt. Early Harris.

The other four passengers were taken to West Georgia Medical Center with less serious injuries. The driver was not injured.

State trooper Scott Jeter said the group of people from a senior center in Woodland, Ala., were returning home about 9:30 p.m. after a trip to “Fantasy in Lights” at Callaway Gardens.

“The driver was not familiar with the road and the van went down a steep embankment,” Jeter said.

Firefighters were hampered in their rescue efforts because the 15-passenger van wound up in a muddy briar patch with deep holes, Harris said, adding, “It was just a mess.”

The van had only minor damage to the front.