(Corrects spelling of river to Stillaguamish River, instead of Stillaguamishi River)
March 22 (Reuters) - Two people died and at least five others were injured on Saturday in a landslide that destroyed at least six homes along a state highway in northwest Washington state, officials said.
Mud, possibly produced by recent heavy rain, slid across part of State Route 530 near Oso, Washington, north of Seattle, Washington state trooper Mark Francis said.
The two deaths were confirmed by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, which also reported rescue crews using equipment and helicopters were still on the scene some four hours after the mudslide. At least six houses were destroyed, the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Five people were brought to the Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington, Washington, and more people were expected to be transported from the slide area, said hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Egger.
"It's still a very active rescue scene," Egger said.
She said she was unable to discuss the extent of the injuries.
Francis said the slide was in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains where rains have been heavy lately.
The mudslide caused blockage of the Stillaguamish River, adding flooding to the mud problem, Francis said. (Reporting by Kevin Murphy in Kansas City, Mo., Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Eric Walsh)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
