Tractor Trailer Carrying Cattle Overturns On Mesquite Highway

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MESQUITE (CBSDFW.COM) - An early morning accident on westbound Highway 80, near Interstate-635, left a cattle truck overturned and a 'wild and loose' situation that has lasted for hours.

The semi toppled over just before rush hour and then at least one head of cattle got loose as workers tried to herd the animals out of the truck.

A livestock officer with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department was called to assist members of the Mesquite Police Department, who were called to the scene around 6:30 a.m.

The 18-wheeler was headed for a feed yard when it crashed and fell on its side, in the median. Dallas County Sheriff's officials say there were more than 90 head of cattle on the truck at the time of crash. At least one of those animals was killed.

By 11 a.m. members of the DSO livestock unit were still working to get the cows out of the compartments inside the overturned trailer. So far, crews have been able to corral about 40 of the cattle, they will then Once that's accomplished crews will load the cattle, a few at a time, into smaller trailers.

During the roundup one head of cattle escaped and as of this writing had been on the loose for more than an hour.

First responders also found several head of cattle hurt. Investigators say this was a single vehicle accident and no humans were injured.

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More than four hours after the crash there was still a very busy scene. Drivers should expect delays through the area for some time.

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