Two people, including a train conductor and an engineer, were wounded in Louisiana after a freight train and a truck collided on Sunday causing several cars and two engines to be derailed.

According to the Union Pacific Railroad spokesperson Jeff DeGraff, the conductor's wounds were not life-threatening, though he had been reported to have the most serious injuries during the incident while the engineer received several minor ones.

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DeGraff, who did not name the injured personnel in order to protect their privacy, explained in an email that their main concern as of the moment is to make sure the employees are well attended to.

After being rescued from the overturned vehicle, the conductor was immediately airlifted to a medical facility in Shreveport, around 120 miles from Mer Rouge where the collision took place, while the engineer was transported to St. Francis Medical Center and was later declared stable.

During the incident, 17 cars and two engines were derailed after the locomotive hit a truck along the crossroads of Highway 165 and Louisiana 2 in the Morehouse Parish Town.

Authorities reported that that the train crashed into a massive oak tree causing the cars to topple over.

Because of the train's position, rescuers were forced to pry off an access door to free the wounded employees.

Meanwhile, Mer Rouge Police Chief Mitch Stephens stated that some 50 homes within a half mile radius were vacated due to fears that the tank car containing pressurized argon gas might explode.

A tank of argon, a gas used in light bulbs and arc welding, was later siphoned until it was empty.

Residents evacuated were later allowed to return to their homes early on Sunday evening, two hours after authorities made sure the area was safe again.

According to Sheriff Mike Tubbs, those travelling Highway 165 were advised to detour to east of Bastrop down LA 3051.

Tagscollision, freight, injured, Louisiana, railroad, train collision, locomotive