A train and a garbage truck collided in the RM of Ritchot on Monday morning and 12 train cars derailed in the crash, said RCMP.

The driver of the garbage truck was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries from the collision, which happened on Leclaire Road, about two miles east of Highway 200 in the RM of Ritchot around 7 a.m., said officers.

Charlie Lohr lives only metres away from where the crash happened.

"All I (saw) was the railway cars scattering in every direction and some where sticking up in the air. One went flying into the field," said Lohr.

He drove his truck to the scene to see what had happened and found the driver of the garbage truck lying in a ditch. He helped get him to safety away from the vehicle.

"I'm glad I could help," said Lohr.

RCMP said the driver was ejected from his vehicle prior to the impact with the train, which may have saved his life.

Johnson Waste Management told CTV News the garbage truck driver has a broken arm and was also taken for a CAT scan.

The train had some empty cars but was also hauling sulphuric acid and sulphur, but none of those cars were damaged in the crash, said RCMP.

The crash involving the garbage truck and a CP cargo train happened at an uncontrolled train crossing, said RCMP.

Some diesel fuel leaked at the scene following the crash and crews are examining the environmental impact.

Leclaire Road was closed at the scene Monday morning. RCMP and CP officials continue to investigate the crash.

- with a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks