(CBS-DETROIT) – A 20-year-old man was rescued Monday night after he was hit by a freight train while sleeping on the tracks, officials said.

At 9:37 p.m., firefighters responded to the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks between Huron and Miller after the man was struck by a northbound freight train.

The train was traveling at a slow speed and came to a stop after a short distance.

The fire department found that the 20-year-old’s left hand was caught in the rear axle of the leading locomotive and was jammed between the wheel, axle and worn gear. The man was lying between the rails under the freight train.

“Shockingly, the hand injury was the only major trauma,” the Ann Arbor Fire Department said. “Due to the patient’s position and the metal strength of this part of the locomotive, recovery efforts were incredibly difficult.”

A Survival Flight flight crew and a surgical team from the University of Michigan were called to the scene within an hour to prepare for a possible amputation on site.

According to the fire department, the 20-year-old was freed after 110 hours.

His condition was stable and he was taken to hospital.

“This was a unique incident for those involved,” said the Ann Arbor Fire Department. “Typically, accidents involving people and trains are fatal. This was a true team effort.”