UFC legend Matt Hughes seriously injured when truck he was driving was struck by train (updated)

UFC legend Matt Hughes was seriously injured in a train accident Friday, the Illinois State Police confirmed.

A truck Hughes was driving was struck by a train in Raymond, Ill., at about 10:45 a.m., per a police release. Hughes was transported to a hospital in Springfield, Ill., by airlift.

UFC president Dana White informed ESPN.com about the accident earlier Friday.

Per the release, Hughes approached a “railroad grade crossing marked with crossbucks” in a pickup truck. The truck crossed the tracks “directly in front of a train and the train struck the passenger side of the truck.”

The Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating the crash.

"Apparently he has head trauma," White told ESPN. "His family is traveling to him now."

The UFC tweeted a graphic, signifying Hughes is in its thoughts Friday.

Hughes, 43, is a UFC Hall of Famer and one of the greatest welterweight champions in the history of the promotion. The Illinois native held the title from 2001 to 2004 and then again from 2004 to 2006. Hughes retired in 2011 with a 45-9 record, though he recently talked about the possibility of a return to the cage. He owns wins over the likes of BJ Penn and Georges St-Pierre.

— Update at 6:47 p.m. ET

HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Ill., wrote in a statement on Facebook that Matt Hughes has been transported there and the hospital’s trauma team has stabilized him and “continues to help him in his recovery.”

“Hughes’ family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time,” the statement read. “They ask that you keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers.”