3 teenagers critically injured, 3 other teens injured, after their disabled vehicle is struck by a van on U.S. 60 at Gilbert Road in Mesa, Arizona

Six teenagers were in critical condition following a three-car chain reaction crash on U.S. 60 at Gilbert Road Thursday afternoon, Mesa fire officials said. All the teens were in a vehicle that was stalled in the emergency lane when it was hit from behind by a van, fire authorities said. One other vehicle was involved in the smash-ups. The half dozen injured patients are between the ages of 17 and 19, according to first responders. The full extent of their injuries was not known. Helicopters were en route to airlift at least two patients to area hospitals, said DPS spokesman Officer Carrick Cook. News helicopter pictures showed rescues underway to free some of the patients from their smashed vehicle.