A tractor-trailer carrying 120 to 130 cattle plunged off an Interstate 70 curve in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, early Sunday and landed on a car on Interstate 35 below. Between 45 and 60 cattle were killed, and dozens more escaped and wandered the streets for hours, police said.
Both drivers had minor injuries. By early afternoon, police said all surviving animals were believed to be accounted for.
What happened?
The crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, the Associated Press reported. The trailer went over the westbound I-70 curve and fell onto southbound I-35, landing on a car.
Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins of the Kansas City Fire Department called it "a pretty nasty accident."
| Time | Shortly before 3 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 18 |
| Place | Westbound I-70 curve onto southbound I-35, downtown Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cattle aboard | 120–130 |
| Cattle killed | 45–60 |
| Human injuries | 2 drivers, minor |
| Status of loose cattle | All believed accounted for |
How did they catch the loose cows?
Dozens of cattle survived the fall and scattered. Some caused other crashes, and residents called police to report animals in the road. Some walked several miles before they were caught, police said.
Authorities sent up drones to track them. A private company working with the trucking firm then brought in workers on horseback to round them up. The roundup went on into the early afternoon.
"It is believed all cows have now been accounted for," police Sgt. Phil DiMartino said, according to the AP.
Was anyone hurt?
The truck driver and the driver of the car the trailer landed on had minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals, CBS News reported. No serious human injuries were reported.
Hopkins said the hardest part of the response was "getting the animals who did not survive," CBS reported.
Did it affect the Chiefs game?
The crash happened on the day the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Los Angeles Chargers. Authorities did not expect major game-day traffic disruptions, the AP reported. Some roads near the crash were closed during the cleanup. See our Chargers–Chiefs game coverage.
What caused the crash?
Officials have not released a cause. They have not said how fast the truck was traveling, where the cattle were headed, or whether citations are expected.
