Passenger, freight trains collide in Utah

WENDOVER, Utah (CNN) -- An Amtrak train and a freight train collided Thursday about 10 miles east of Wendover, but officials have not reported any serious injuries.

The accident took place at 5:15 a.m. local time, said Tooele County Sheriff's Lt. Glenn Murray. Emergency crews were at the scene, located in the Great Salt Lake Desert in western Utah near Nevada, he said.

Only minor injuries were reported initially, though parts of the train were on fire, a Tooele County emergency specialist told CNN. The train had between 100 and 200 people aboard, he said.

"Apparently we have everyone accounted for, and we have no casualties," said Charlies Roberts, a spokesman for Tooele County. "We received approval from the FAA for some emergency helicopters to go to the area in case there are serious injuries."

Passenger Larry Thurman said passengers were evacuated, and that he saw three cars toppled into a ditch. He spoke to CNN via cell phone early Thursday.

The Amtrak train was apparently westbound, heading to Reno, Nevada, and on to San Francisco. A portion of Interstate 80 has been closed down in both directions, according to CNN affiliate KSL in Salt Lake City. Wendover is 122 miles west of Salt Lake City.

Amtrak is an alternative for travelers headed across the country two days after terrorist attacks in New York and Washington closed airports.

Amtrak had no comment.