Three children were injured Thursday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35W at Arden Hills.

The children were passengers in a Chrysler Town & Country minivan that was northbound on I-35W near the Interstate 694 exit about 12:20 p.m., according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

In stop-and-go traffic, a Volvo semi rear-ended the minivan and pushed it into the back of a Ford semi, the State Patrol said. The Ford semi then rear-ended a third semi.

During the collision, the back end of the minivan swung out into an adjacent lane of traffic where it was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe, the State Patrol said.

Two of the children in the minivan — a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy — suffered life-threatening injuries, while the third child’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the State Patrol. All three were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center.

All of the children were wearing seat belts.

Traffic is backed up on NB 35W prior to 694. Crash at 694 EB exit. pic.twitter.com/2twbIopIKP — Julie (@wwozzydo) July 27, 2017

The 64-year-old man who was driving the minivan and all three semi drivers also suffered non life-threatening injuries, but they were not transported to a hospital. The driver of the Tahoe was uninjured, the State Patrol said.

Northbound 35W was congested much of the afternoon as lanes were closed because of the crash. The freeway was fully open again by rush hour.

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. Alcohol was not involved, the State Patrol said.