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Interstate 95 in South Carolina was temporarily shut down in both directions after a tractor trailer carrying several dozen cows crashed early Tuesday morning. Screen captures from cameras operated by the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) showed both the northbound and southbound lanes of this major national artery shut down.
According to the S.C. Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), both lanes reopened at approximately 10:30 a.m. EST – more than nine-and-a-half hours after the crash.
This media outlet was informed early Tuesday morning (February 13, 2024) of “cows loose on the Interstate in Colleton County.” Shortly thereafter, we confirmed the crash of a cattle carrier reportedly based out of North Carolina.
According to our law enforcement sources, the crash took place not long after 1:00 a.m. EST in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 near mile marker 55 – just west of Walterboro, S.C. Initial dispatch reports referenced a “semi truck carrying cattle” which landed “in a ditch” after striking a guardrail. The cab of the truck was reportedly “on fire,” while the trailer was “fully submerged” in a nearby creek.
Multiple animals have reportedly perished in the crash, while several others remain unaccounted for. According to our sources, the trailer was carrying a total of 35 cows.
(Click to View)
One report provided to this media outlet referenced a “black cow running down the interstate.” That animal was one of at least five cows which reportedly survived the crash. Another four cows were reportedly spotted by law enforcement near the banks of the creek.
It is not immediately clear how long the Interstate will be closed in the aftermath of the crash, however local law enforcement sources indicated “it will be hours” before the lanes reopen.
“(Ninety-five) will be shut down for a while,” the dispatch report confirmed.
Officials with the S.C. Highway Patrol (SCHP) confirmed initial details of the crash – which took place near a bridge which carries Interstate 95 across the Ashepoo River.
“There was a cattle truck and trailer that was traveling southbound on Interstate 95 which ended up running off the road and crashing into a swampy area, a wet area,” trooper Nick Pye told us. “Some of those cows have gotten loose and our professionals are in the process of trying to locate and catch them.”
In addition to retrieving the missing cattle, Pye said SCHP troopers were in the process of determining what caused the crash – and ensuring traffic was routed around the impacted areas.
UPDATE | Cattle crash in pictures …
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children.
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2 comments
Where’s the beef?
It’s ground beef now.