Matfield Green ? Two freight trains collided early Saturday, derailing several cars and causing minor injuries to crew members, authorities said.

The accident happened a few miles from the site of a derailment May 8 that occurred during heavy storms in south-central Kansas.

About 50 area residents were evacuated Saturday after the accident, which was reported about 2:45 a.m., said Steve Forsberg, spokesman for Burlington Northern Santa Fe. He said the residents were allowed back into their homes about five hours later.

The accident happened when a train carrying mostly truck trailers hauling consumer goods struck the back end of a westbound train that had been moving onto a side track. The eastbound train had been traveling from Los Angeles to New York City.

Forsberg said the westbound train, which was going from suburban Chicago to the Dallas area, had not pulled completely off the main track when it was struck.

Four engines and the lead car of the eastbound train derailed, and the last four cars of the westbound train were also forced off the tracks. Diesel fuel from the four engines spilled, causing a fire, Forsberg said.

Portions of two Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains are seen burning near Matfield Green after a collision. The two freight trains collided early Saturday, derailing several cars and causing minor injuries to crew members, authorities said.

Two crew members in the eastbound train reported minor injuries and were being treated at an Emporia hospital. No other injuries were reported.

The track was repaired and reopened about 6 p.m. Saturday, Forsberg said. Earlier Saturday, trains had been rerouted through North Dakota and Newton, Forsberg said.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.

The collision happened only a few miles from the site of the May 8 accident, which occurred when a train derailed during rough weather, forcing 250 residents from their homes because of a chemical leak.

The freight train that derailed during stormy weather was trying to stop at the time — just minutes after dispatchers told its crew that a tornado warning had been issued for Chase County, Forsberg said.

A severe wind gust likely hit the middle third of the 118-car train, derailing 39 cars, Forsberg said.

Matfield Green is about 40 miles northeast of Wichita in south-central Kansas.