U.S.

Louisiana train derailment injures 2

/ AP

NEW ORLEANS - Union Pacific Railroad Co. says a train conductor was seriously injured and an engineer has minor injuries after a freight train hit a transport truck in northeast Louisiana, derailing two engines and 17 cars.

Spokesman Jeff DeGraff says the conductor's injuries are not considered life-threatening. He was airlifted to a hospital in Shreveport, about 120 miles west of Mer Rouge, where the accident occurred Sunday afternoon.

Mer Rouge Police Chief Mitch Stephens says about 50 houses were evacuated for about two hours due to concerns that a tank car of pressurized argon gas might explode.

Stephens says the locomotive overturned and hit a big oak tree.

Stephens says the trailer got stuck on the tracks but the trucker jumped out of the cab, avoiding injury.

First published on October 5, 2014 / 9:55 PM EDT

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