A historic steam train carrying tourists through redwood forests in Northern California has crashed into a hillside, injuring eight people.

Some people fell from the steam train, with four taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and four others received minor injuries including whiplash after the Roaring Camp Railroads train jerked to a stop near Felton.

Felton fire chief Ron Rickabaugh said the train was going between five and 10mph when the conductor tried to stop and the throttle stuck. The train then struck a hillside and jerked.

Roaring Camp Railroads has been closed while officials investigate what went wrong.

According to its website, Roaring Camp Railroads take tourists through redwood groves on historic steam engines as their conductors describe the area's history.

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