'That saved his life': Truck teetering off Hwy 17 hangs on by its steel tool box

A driver walked away with minor injuries after a crash senthis truck teeteringoff the edge of Highway 17in Delta, B.C. on Thursday.

Delta Fire ChiefKellyMcLenaghensays although his crews had to use the Jaws of Lifeto extricate the male driver, a tool box installed underneath the flatbed truck saved his life.

"Luckily for the tool box that saved his life," the fire chief said, describing a steel box in the undercarriage which measured one metre by one metre.

"He was hanging by a thread there until we secured him."

SharleneBrooks, a spokesperson with Delta police, says the truck was driving westbound pastTannery Road when it clipped a semi-truck.

There was minimal damagebut the collision sent the truck careening headfirst through a steel railing separating the highway from railroad tracks below, pushing aside a concrete barrier.

"The truck was hanging about 70 to 80 feet [above a] drop to the train tracks below," said McLenaghen. "The guy must have been pretty scared inside."

Rescue crews immediately secured the truck to one of their fire engines after they arrived.

McLenaghen says he believes the driver was in the precarious spot for about 15 minutes before they were able to extricate him, making the rescueespecially difficult.

The driver was sent to hospital butMcLenaghensays he was able to walk on his own.

All westbound lanes were reopened as of 5 p.m. PT after crews installed temporary railings.