RILEY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of an accident that shut down a rural road for several hours on Monday.
Just after 9a.m., police responded to the report of an overturned semi-truck near the intersection of Fancy Creek Road and Winkler Mills Road near Randolph, according to Riley County Fire District 1.
The driver of a 2016 Peterbuilt truck with an attached livestock trailer carrying cattle lost control of the vehicle. It traveled down an embankment and overturned.
The driver received minor cuts and scrapes while exiting the truck and was treated on scene.
Riley County Fire District #1 responded to assist with extrication of cattle from the trailer and Riley County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) arrived on scene to monitor responders for heat-related illness. Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) was also on scene to evaluate the truck.
“This was quite an ordeal,” said RCFD #1 Deputy Chief John Martens. “There were over 60 head of cattle in the trailer when it overturned. Crews were out in the heat for about five hours using the jaws of life to get the cattle out. Unfortunately, at least 10 cows were either killed during the crash or had to be put down because of injuries. Neighbors and local farmers helped round up the cattle while we worked on the trailer.”
A total of 15 RCFD#1 volunteers and personnel responded to the call. RCPD’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Team was also on scene assisting in the location of some missing cattle.
“Today has been a great example of how people in Riley County pull together and help when needed,” said Martens.