A second crash a short time later compounded the situation for responders and motorists.
The first crash, around 1:40 p.m. at mile marker 63.7 on the northbound side, involved fie vehicles and required an extrication by Mahwah Fire Rescue Co. 1, responders said.
Hackensack University Medical Center's AirMed One was airlifting at least one of the victims after landing on the highway, they said.
The second crash occurred on the southbound side of 287.
Mahwah police, Ramsey EMS, New Jersey Mobile HealthCare and Franklin Lakes firefighters were among the responders.
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ALSO SEE: Speeds reached 100 miles an hour in a stolen car chase that began Thursday in Fair Lawn and ended with New Jersey state troopers capturing the Paterson driver in Rockland County.
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