The driver of a tractor-trailer narrowly escaped injury Tuesday after a train hit his vehicle in Blawnox, Allegheny County.

“I heard the train, the whistle and then a boom,” said Jerry Michak, who lives about two streets from the rail lines. “Then my power went out.”

The crash happened around 11 a.m. at the Center Avenue and Fourth Street crossing.

According to KDKA: A witness says the driver of a tractor trailer backed across the tracks on Center Avenue, hoping to turn down a street on the other side. When he couldn’t turn, he decided to drive back across the tracks.

Fire Chief George McBriar said the trailer was hauling more than 47,000 pounds of steel. The load was propelled into the air by the crash, pulled down power lines and landed in nearby warehouses.

“The impact ripped the whole back end of the trailer off,” McBriar said.

Train vs tractor trailer sends steel rods into bldg in Blawnox ! #WPXI pic.twitter.com/QYycWd1rOf — renee wallace (@WPXIrenee) February 11, 2020

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The 47,000 pounds of rebar also flew into the air, flying with enough force that it knocked Mike Fanto Jr.’s SUV up in the air into the garage amidst a large pile of rubble. “It was like the Scarecrow” from the “Wizard of Oz” movie, Assistant Fire Chief John Simmons said. “'My arms are over there! And my legs are over there!’”

Blawnox Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said the borough’s building inspector was on site to gauge the impact to several properties.

About 2,600 Duquesne Light customers were without power for about an hour after the crash, said Hollie Geitner, communications director.

By Tawnya Panizzi, The Tribune-Review (TNS)