SALINE COUNTY— Six head of cattle died in an accident Wednesday in Saline County.
Undersheriff Brent Melander said a 1996 Peterbilt semi driven by Jimmy Grissman, 34, Duncan, OK, was westbound in the 4200 Block of Kansas Highway 4 between Woodward and Simpson Roads.
The rig traveled off the edge of the road and as the driver attempted to correct, the weight of the cattle shifted and the vehicle rolled onto its side in the ditch with 65 head of cattle trapped inside.
Salina Fire Department personnel took the department’s heavy rescue vehicle to the scene and with the assistance of local farmers and ranchers, cut open the top of the trailer to free the cattle.
One of the local farmers brought a portable cattle pen which was set up around the truck to corral the cattle, however, seven to eight escaped and located south of the accident scene Tuesday night.
The tractor-trailer rig was towed from the scene and a hazmat cleanup was done because some diesel fuel was spilled in the accident, according to Melander.
Grissman was not injured. Kansas Highway 4 was shut down briefly to allow crews to complete the cleanup.