Eight people were sent to hospital after a massive tree crashed down on the Sea to Sky Highway early Wednesday evening.

A pair of cars heading south on Hwy 99 slammed into the tree after it fell across all four lanes just north of Horseshoe Bay.

Four ambulances were dispatched and they took away eight passengers, said Libby Brown, a B.C. Emergency Health Services spokeswoman. None of the patients appeared to be suffering from life-threatening injuries and their transportation wasn't considered critical or urgent, she said.

Traffic stopped in both directions as crews began clearing the scene. A single northbound lane opened early and both southbound lanes reopened by about 8 p.m., according to Drive BC.

With a file from Canadian Press.

mrobinson@vancouversun.com