One person is dead following a collision Thursday afternoon between an 18-wheeler carrying saltwater and a freight train at the Smith Road railroad crossing on U.S. Highway 71 near Elm Grove in south Bossier Parish.

The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. Three locomotives and 21 rail cars derailed as a result of the collision. A coroner was on the scene. The identity of the deceased has not been released.

Highway 71 between Louisiana 154 and Louisiana 527 is closed through Friday night. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while emergency crews and investigators work the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. Louisiana State Police and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office are the lead agencies.