LONDON, Ky, Sept 8, (AP): A manhunt was underway early Sunday as police searched for a gunman in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky near Interstate 75, according to authorities who said seven people were hurt in the shooting and a vehicle accident that accompanied the violence. The shooting Saturday was followed by an intense search for a suspect by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Laurel County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an "active shooter situation” and "numerous persons” were shot near the highway. Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, said authorities were notified about 5:30 p.m. Saturday about gunshots along Interstate 75.

When they arrived at the scene in London, a small city of about 8,000 located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington, they found numerous vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49. "When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot.

Can you imagine that? Just chaotic," Acciardo said during a news conference Sunday. Five people were shot and all were in stable condition early Sunday, although some of the victims had "very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Acciardo said. Two other people were hurt in the vehicle accident, he said.

Police blocked traffic in both directions on the highway because they did not know where the bullets came from. "We're still attempting to determine that,” Acciardo said. Authorities believe there was only one shooter and Acciardo said they do not believe the shooting was sparked by road rage. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies searched a remote, wooded area, but eventually suspended the search because of darkness. The search will resume at daybreak Sunday, he said.