Macon police and rescue personnel have cleared the westbound lanes of Interstate 16 Monday afternoon, but traffic remained heavy because of a three-car accident, officials said.

The wreck, which took place at 4:35 p.m., backed traffic up in the westbound lanes at mile marker 3.

As of 5:30 p.m., officers were still working to clear the scene, and there was still heavy traffic.

According to police spokeswoman Jami Gaudet, a woman traveling in a Ford Focus lost consciousness due to an unknown medical incident. She crossed over the median from the eastbound lane into the westbound lane, where she collided with a second vehicle.

The driver of a third vehicle tried to avoid the collision and got stuck in the median.

The woman had to be extricated from her vehicle, and the extent of her injuries are unknown. The other two drivers didn’t require medical attention.