No people or animals were hurt when a cattle-hauling semi jackknifed across Kansas Highway 170 west of Reading early Thursday.
Deputy Danny Broyles says an eastbound semi had trailer tires go off the highway for unknown reasons. That caused the semi trailer to go into the south ditch, while the power unit went into the north ditch. K-170 was blocked for about three hours until the semi was cleared from the highway shortly after 6:30 am.
Miller and Reading firefighters also responded to clean up what was originally listed as around 100 gallons of diesel fuel. Broyles says about 20 gallons actually spilled.
About 80 cattle were in the trailer.
6 am Thursday: Cattle reportedly OK after hauler crashes near Reading, but part of K-170 blocked until further notice
Lyon County deputies and two north Lyon County fire departments have responded to a crash site in far east Lyon County early Thursday.
Responders from Miller and Reading joined deputies on Kansas Highway 170 near Road W, about two miles west of Reading. Deputy Danny Broyles says an eastbound semi had trailer tires go off the highway for unknown reasons. That caused the semi trailer to go into the south ditch, while the power unit went into the north ditch — meaning K-170 is now blocked until further notice.
Early indications are the incident also caused a spill of about 100 gallons of diesel fuel. Miller and Reading firefighters are handling that aspect of this incident.
The truck was hauling cattle, but there are no indications any cattle were hurt or killed. The driver was unhurt as well.
Until the truck and trailer are removed, Lyon County deputies and flaggers from the Kansas Department of Transportation are sending eastbound K-170 traffic south on Road V to Road 240, east to W and north back to the highway. The detour is reversed for westbound traffic.
