US 60 crash injures 3 teens

Three teenagers were taken to hospitals with critical injuries and three others were treated at the scene after a chain collision on the U.S. 60 eastbound near Gilbert Road on Thursday, officials say.

The teens, ages 17 to 19, were in a white car stopped in the emergency lane to assist two other vehicles in a fender bender, according to Mesa Fire Capt. Forrest Smith.

A large, white van plowed into the white car from behind, causing multiple collisions, Smith said.

Images of the wreckage showed the crunched, white car sandwiched between the van and a maroon car.

At least five people were seen being taken out of damaged vehicles shortly after 3 p.m. and first responders stabilized patients in a triage area atop a large, red tarp that firefighters had placed on the freeway.

Fire and paramedic crews from Mesa, Gilbert and Tempe responded to the crash scene, according to Smith.

Several lanes on U.S. 60 eastbound were closed into the evening rush hour while the Arizona Department of Public Safety investigated.