ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis police officer in the motorcade escorting Sarah Palin to the airport has been injured in an accident.

The incident occurred Friday morning near the airport. The officer's name was not released. Police say the injuries are not life-threatening.

Police spokeswoman Erica Van Ross says the officer was on a motorcycle when it struck another officer's motorcycle. The second officer was not hurt. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The officer hurt his back and leg.

Palin was in St. Louis for the vice presidential debate with Democrat Joe Biden on Thursday.

Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said Palin, in Dallas for a fundraiser, had been trying to reach the officer by telephone to wish him well, but had not been able to get through to him.