At least four people were killed and 17 others injured in Midland, Tex., on Thursday evening when a freight train crashed into a parade float at an event honoring veterans, the authorities said.

The crash occurred at a railroad crossing in the city in West Texas around 4:30 p.m., according to the Midland police chief, Price Robinson. Many of the injured appeared to be veterans and their spouses, he said.

“This was part of a celebration to honor military heroes and their spouses for their service in the military,” Chief Robinson said. “It’s a very tragic event that words can’t describe.”

The parade, led by a local group called Show of Support, was supposed to take the veterans through the city before ending at a planned banquet.