A tractor-trailer driver escaped injury about 4 p.m. Thursday when his truck was hit by a northbound Norfolk Southern freight train at the Piggyback Lane crossing off Snapps Ferry Road.

The accident, which blocked railway crossings at Bohannon Avenue, Hankins Street and Austin Street remains under investigation by Greeneville police, but no report had been filed as of this morning.

However, Greeneville firefighter James Foshie, who was among the emergency personnel who responded to the accident scene, said the tractor-trailer, was owned by the Nashville-based TCW trucking firm and was driven by Ricky Almond, no age or address available.

Foshie said the truck driver told emergency personnel that he had been attempting to leave the rear parking lot of the MECO plant via Piggyback Lane at the time of the accident.

But the truck, which was sitting partially across the Norfolk Southern tracks was blocked from entering Snapps Ferry Road by traffic, Foshie said the driver told emergency personnel.

"He said he tried to back up when he heard the train approaching, but it was too late," Foshie said.

The engines of the northbound 96-car train struck the rear portion of the truck's trailer, causing the vehicle to spin around and come to rest beside the track with the trailer, which was carrying a large inter-modal shipping container, to overturn.

At least one of the five diesel-electric locomotives that were pulling the train struck the truck, resulting in damage to a "sight gauge" on a diesel fuel tank of one of the locomotives, according to Foshie, who said about 15 to 20 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the tank.

Foshie said Norfolk Southern personnel summoned HEPACO, a commercial hazardous materials firm, to the scene to clean up the fuel spill.

Greeneville police this morning said the heavily damaged truck trailer had to be cut into pieces before it could be removed from the railroad right-of-way.

Police remained on the scene until about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Capt. Craig Fillers.