Big Rig Carrying 300 Sheep Overturns Near Blythe

An overturned big rig was blocking both lanes of U.S. Highway 95 north of Blythe on Saturday morning, shutting down the highway for an unknown period of time, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The accident was reported around 10 a.m. near mile marker 15. Witnesses said the truck was traveling northbound when it flipped for unknown reasons.

Cal Fire reports the truck was carrying a trailer with 300 sheep inside. As of 11 a.m., 50 of the sheep had died, and many more were wandering the roadway, said Jody Hagemann with the Riverside County Fire Department. Riverside Animal Control workers were on the way to the scene to help.

The truck’s driver was airlifted to a local hospital to be treated for major injuries.

CHP officers said the backup on the southbound side stretched one-quarter mile. They’re advising drivers to choose an alternate route if at all possible.