Two United Airlines passengers were injured when the plane they were taking to San Francisco maneuvered to avoid a midair collision last week.

United Airlines Flight 2428 responded to an onboard alert around 12:45 p.m. Pacific time Thursday that another aircraft was in the vicinity, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, was traveling from Newark Liberty International Airport when it received a traffic collision avoidance system alert from the Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center Airspace, authorities said.

According to the National Business Aviation Association, this alert may instruct the pilot to descend, climb, or adjust vertical speed.

The maneuver is a "last defense against mid-air collisions," according to the group.

When the United flight was descending to SFO with the seat belt sign on, "it slowed its descent to account for another aircraft at a lower altitude," United said in a statement.

"Two customers, including one who was out of their seat at the time, reported possible injuries and were transported to a hospital," United said.

Details on the passengers' injuries are unknown.

The aircraft landed safely at San Francisco International Airport, the FAA reported.

The FAA is investigating.

Information on the other aircraft involved in the near collision has not been released.

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