An MBTA Commuter Rail train struck a tractor-trailer on Monday morning in Littleton, Massachusetts.
A spokesman for Keolis, which operates the commuter rail system for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, said the incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at the Foster Street crossing.
"I did get thrown out of my seat," said Nick Benham, who was on the train heading west. "If the truck hadn't pulled as far forward as it did. I think it would have been a lot worse."
Spokesman Tory Mazzola said Train 407, which was traveling outbound on the Fitchburg line, made contact with the rear end of the truck.
"It's the worst excuse I've ever had for being late for work because I saw a train wreck," said Tracey Pinto, who was driving down Foster Street.
According to Pinto, the truck was trying to beat the crossing gate that was swinging down when it got stuck on the trailer.
"I don't know what he was thinking, that maybe it was going to stop, but he just sat on the tracks and then it could not have been more than five yards," said Pinto. "It was coming slow because it's a stop. Five yards he gunned it forward and the train hit the back of his truck."
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Littleton's Fire Chief Scott Wodzinski said 14 passengers were onboard and there were no injuries.
Keolis said passengers were transferred to another train to complete their trip. Some other trains on the Fitchburg line were also canceled, but service has since resumed.
Foster Street reopened shortly after 4 p.m.
The driver of the truck works for the company Transport Lebonte. They are stationed in Quebec, Canada and declined to comment over the phone.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
