Kentucky police were searching rugged terrain near a national forest for a suspect after at least five people were wounded by gunfire while driving down the rural stretch of an interstate highway, officials said on Saturday evening.

The incident began just before 6 p.m. about 13 kilometers outside of the town of London in the U.S. Officers responded to reports of gunshots directed at vehicles traveling on Interstate 75 in Laurel County. 

The shots came from a wooded area or an overpass, according to local media reports.

The injured people have been transferred to a local hospital for treatment, Laurel County Sheriff's office said in an update.

"Investigation began, and a lead was developed on a person of interest, and the search for this person of interest is continuing," the press release said. 

(With input from Reuters)