NATCHEZ — A railroad maintenance crew struck a small propane tank that had been placed on a section of track in Natchez Tuesday afternoon, but no damage was done to the track.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said the crew struck the 10-gallon tank while working on an excavator near Eastbrook Road.

Some of the propane expelled from the tank, Bradford said, and the Natchez Fire Department safely released the rest.

Natchez Public Works took possession of the tank for disposal.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation was notified of the incident, Bradford said.

“They said we could handle it locally,” he said. “It’s a good thing the guys found it before the train came along.”

Bradford said authorities have been unable to determine how the tank got on the track.