Avalanche sweeps cars off Colorado highway

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- A massive avalanche -- 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep -- swept across one of Colorado's main recreation routes Saturday, sweeping at least two cars off the road and prompting a search for survivors.

Officials said at least six people were rescued from the two cars and taken by ambulance to hospitals. Authorities said no one appeared to have life-threatening injuries.

Video showed huge piles of snow on three areas of U.S. 40, with the avalanche cutting three paths through mountain trees before landing on the roadway near the 11,307-foot-high Berthoud Pass, about 50 miles west of Denver. (Watch how snow blocks the highway in three places Video)

Amateur photographer Pete Ferigan told CNN that about two dozen motorists jumped out of their vehicles and used shovels, ski poles and their hands to try to rescue others.