HARTSELLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Several drivers saw a train hit an 18-wheeler stuck on the railroad tracks in Hartselle Tuesday morning.  Fortunately, the driver got out beforehand.

The collision happened about 8 a.m. at the crossing on College Street at Railroad Street.  The driver said his GPS suggested he take a route through the city of Hartselle.  When he tried to cross the tracks at College & Railroad streets, some of the gear on the bottom of his truck got stuck in the tracks.

The driver got out of his truck and tried to get some help, but saw the train coming. He waved and waved to try to notify the engineer to stop, but it was too late.  The train rammed into the truck’s front cab.

See video of the collision above by Brayden Leslie, 13, who witnessed it on the way to Hartselle Junior High.  His mother, Lacrecia Leslie, sent it to us.

The collision caused a diesel fuel leak.  Decatur’s HAZMAT team was called in to help contain the spill.

The trailer on the truck is a large freezer unit, but it was empty.

Law enforcement released the train just after 10 a.m. to proceed on its way, but the intersection was still blocked as of 10:30 a.m. because the railroad crossing bars and lights were damaged.