Pigs spilled out of a livestock truck that rolled over in Colorado on Monday, Sept. 11, snarling traffic for hours as authorities worked to clear the freeway.
Close to 100 pigs sunbathed on the bike path after authorities moved them there from westbound Interstate 70, video footage from the scene shows. Firefighters sprayed the animals with water to keep them cool.
Twenty-five pigs died in the 1:15 p.m. crash, according to Glenwood Police Chief Terry Wilson, the Post Independent reported.
At least 20 of the pigs were injured in the accident and some had to be euthanized, according to Tracy Trulove, a communications manager with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
A veterinarian was on the scene by 2:30 p.m. evaluating the injured pigs’ conditions and keeping the rest of the animals calm.
The driver of the truck lost control, hit the guard rail, crossed the westbound lanes and crashed into the median barrier, tipping on its left side.
The first responders waited for a livestock hauler before the semi could be pushed back on its wheels. The driver was taken to Valley View Hospital.
The surviving pigs were eventually loaded and transported away, while the dead ones were most likely to end up in a landfill.
The highway was reopened five hours after the crash.