Mass Casualty Crash Kills Many Cows

SAN ANGELO, TX —A truck tractor pulling a semi-trailer full of live cattle overturned near an onramp to Loop 306 sending several cows to their death.

According to police, the 18-wheeler was headed south on the US 67 service road that meets up with the east Loop 306 southbound. The driver almost missed his desired turn and slammed on the brakes and swerved to make it. Unfortunately, the high center of gravity of the semi and the shifting load sent the 18-wheeler out of control and it rolled over with the livestock trapped inside the livestock semi-trailer.

Moans of cattle could be heard as first responders with the aid of Lone Star Beef personnel gathered the scattered livestock. A torch was used to open the overturned trailer to save what cattle they could.

Police said at least seven cattle died and 17 cattle had been definitely saved by about an hour after the crash. Police said the first responders believed they could save more cattle still trapped inside the trailer.

The truck driver was apparently uninjured as he declined treatment from San Angelo Fire Department EMS at the scene.