According to reports by the Houston Chronicle, the cab of a big rig ended up dangling over the side of a Fort Worth, Texas, highway ramp following an accident involving another car before dawn this morning. Three people were reportedly rescued by firefighters, including the driver of the semi-truck and two occupants of the car.

Apparently the car and tractor trailer collided on westbound Interstate 20 and the car ended up being smashed underneath the 18-wheeler's empty water tanker. The people were trapped in the car for about three hours before being rescued as the tractor trailer's cab hung out over a ramp leading to southbound Interstate 35W.

Members of the Fort Worth Fire Department had to use a ladder truck and a rigged up harness system to get to the truck driver and safely remove him from the cab of the tractor trailer. He suffered only minor injuries and was treated at the scene of the accident.

The Houston Chronicle reported that both people extracted from the automobile were also being treated for injuries.

At this time it is unknown what caused the crash in the first place and an investigation is taking place by local officials. Of yet, the ramp remains closed as workers attempt to remove the tractor trailer.

Pictures of the accident taken by local reporters are quite alarming as the tractor trailer appears to have been extremely close to flying off the ramp and the car appears to be crunched between the ramp's guardrail and the trailer.

Luckily for the people in the car and others in the area, the tanker was empty at the time of the accident. Had the tanker been filled with hazardous materials, the accident could have been much worse. Ultimately, this accident could have easily proved deadly.

Source: Houston Chronicle, "Big rig cab left dangling over Fort Worth highway," Associated Press, 3/24/2011.