US train derails after truck collision

An Amtrak train train derailed near Mendon, Missouri
The train was carrying more than 240 passengers and 12 crew members when the collision happened. -AP

A passenger train has derailed in a remote area of Missouri after hitting a dump truck that was blocking a public crossing, leaving a number of people injured.

It was not immediately clear how many people were hurt in the train that was travelling from Los Angeles to Chicago. 

At least eight medical helicopters were responding from around the state, Matt Daugherty, Lifeflight Eagle director of business development, told The Kansas City Star. 

He said he knew there were a number of injuries and some people were in critical condition.

The Southwest Chief was carrying 243 passengers and 12 crew members when the collision happened near Mendon on Monday afternoon, rail company Amtrak said. 

Eight cars and two locomotives derailed.

Helicopter video shown by KMBC-TV in Kansas City from the scene showed rail cars on their side as emergency responders used ladders to climb into one of them. 

The video also showed six medical helicopters parked nearby waiting to transport patients.