CATTLE CALL! 70 Cows Spill Out Onto Atlanta Interstate Creating A Wild Rescue Effort
Transportation Nation Network
Atlanta, Georgia – A wild scene played out along I-285 today after a cattle hauler overturned this morning at approximately 5:45 a.m. The tractor-trailer was carrying 89 calves from Florida to northwest Georgia when it tipped over on the I-285 East ramp at the I-75 interchange in Cobb County. Some of the animals were trapped in the truck, but dozens spilled onto the interstate.
RED ALERT-Cobb Co./Sandy Springs: Crash with truck on I-285/eb (Inner Loop) exit ramp to I-75/nb blocks the ramp; cows carried in truck now roaming I-285/eb to Northside Dr. (Ex. 22). All lanes affected. PD/HERO units pacing all lanes of 285, use Powers Ferry Rd. for detour. pic.twitter.com/cUXTV9Iz10
— WSB Radio (@wsbradio) October 1, 2018
Eleven cows were killed as motorists could not avoid them. Sandy Springs police said they captured the final loose cow just after 4:15 p.m. on I-285, but that may not have been accurate. Eye-witness reports said police were seen still searching for it at 4:45 p.m. The cow reportedly jumped over the side of the road and into the woods.
⚠️#BREAKINGNEWS Cobb County: Crews had a tough time corralling this cow on the loose I-75nb at Cumberland Blvd! @wsbradio #skycopter @wsbtv #captncam #ATLTraffic pic.twitter.com/V1qmwIWFNx
— Mark McKay (@mckayWSB) October 1, 2018
It is estimated that authorities had to round up as many as 70 cows after the accident. According to reports, drivers on their way to work were reporting cow sightings along I-285 and I-75 in Cobb and Fulton counties. Authorities received help in the animal rescue effort by local ranchers on horseback who volunteered their assistance. The Georgia Department of Transportation was handling bovine transport. Crews with Cobb County fire and GDOT used saws to cut through the wreckage and free the cows still trapped inside the overturned trailer.
How many people does it take to corral cattle 🐄 loose this morning on I-285? If ever a picture told the story. Continuing coverage throughout the day @wsbradio @wsbtv @ajc 📸: Traffic Trooper Snowman pic.twitter.com/qN0fuqFjyz
— Mark McKay (@mckayWSB) October 1, 2018
Lanes of EB 285 in Cobb finally opening after multiple crashes involving cows v. cars #atltraffic @MarkArum @mckayWSB @AshleyFrascaWSB pic.twitter.com/Z8fYkyKZlu
— Steve Gehlbach (@SteveGWSB) October 1, 2018
The clean up took 10 hours and turned I-285 westbound lanes into a parking lot. The cause of the crash is still unknown as the investigation is ongoing. The truck driver was taken to a local hospital where his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
Video shared courtesy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Check out AJC.com for more on this story.
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