The incident that led to this scene began shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday, when the passenger vehicle collided with a Canadian National train where its tracks crossed a lane in Brampton Township just off Highway M-35.

“A preliminary investigation indicates the pickup truck was attempting to cross the railroad tracks at a private crossing and failed to yield to an oncoming train, which resulted in the crash,” read a statement from the Michigan State Police.

Over the hour following the collision, responders worked to safely extract the driver and passenger from the truck, transport them to the hospital for medical attention and clear the scene.

Speaking with the Daily Press briefly on the frozen lane near the wreckage, Michigan State Police Sgt. Patrick Janisse said that the primary goal had been to remove the patients from the vehicle. The task was accomplished thanks to the Jaws of Life and collaboration of volunteers and various agencies.

The windshield and roof have been peeled off of a crew cab with the Jaws of Life to remove injured occupants. In the background, emergency personnel from Brampton Township, Michigan State Police and others are visible. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Both subjects, adult females, sustained “serious injuries” and were transported by Rampart EMS. Crew aboard the train were not harmed.

Among those assisting were Delta County Central Dispatch, U.P. Health System, Michigan State Police, Brampton Township Volunteer Fire Department / Auxiliary, Baldwin Township Fire and Rescue, Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department, City of Escanaba Public Safety Department, Cornell Volunteer Fire Department, Canadian National and Guardian Flight.

Emergency personnel carefully carry a stretcher holding an injured person away from a wrecked vehicle towards an ambulance Thursday afternoon. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

The train with which this truck collided has moved just far enough south along the track to reveal this scene. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Guardian Flight landed alongside M-35, ready for transport if needed. At reporting time, it was unclear whether the injured persons were transported by flight or driven to hospital in an ambulance.