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1 Injured After Garbage Truck Crashes Into House In Etna

ETNA, Pa. (KDKA) - One person was injured after a garbage truck crashed into a house in Etna.

It happened at the intersection of Kittanning Street and William Flynn Highway Tuesday afternoon. The front of the house was ripped off, but the mother and her two children inside were uninjured. Crews stabilized the house, fearing it could collapse more.

etna garbage truck into house
(Photo: KDKA Photojournalist Tim Lawson)

"It's incredible that no one was seriously injured, not only in the house but somebody walking down the sidewalk or crossing the street. It really is a miracle," said Etna Volunteer Fire Department Chief Greg Porter.

The truck was overturned onto the road after the crash, garbage spilling out on the street. Porter says there was also a "significant" hydraulic and oil leak from the truck, causing issues on Route 8 at the Kittanning Street intersection.

WATCH: Surveillance Footage Captures Crash

Porter says it appears the garbage truck had some type of mechanical issue leading up to the crash. One of the people inside jumped out before the truck hit the house while Porter says the other self-extricated. One person was injured, but the injuries were minor.

A 4-year-old boy was sleeping on the first floor when the crash happened. His mom, Melissa Koskey, and his 2-year-old sister were in an upstairs bedroom.

"I was just glad my kids were safe. That's all that mattered. Everything else is replaceable," the mother said.

Michelle Kelly lives with her daughter, Melissa, and her grandkids. She worries about what the family will do now.

"Where I am going to go? What we are going to do? How am I going to do it? I'm just a mess," Kelly said.

Crews were able to get a dog and a cat out of the house, and they're now working to help the family get their belongings out too. They're being helped by the Red Cross.

The fire chief says it's likely the house will be condemned.

The family has started a GoFundMe.

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