A horse trailer that collided with one box truck and a semi-trailer hauling diesel left Gwinnett authorities in a bind as they worked to free an entrapped horse on I-85 North.
According to Donald Strother Assistant Public Information Officer for Gwinnett County Fire Services, firefighters responded Tuesday at 4:39 p.m., to an initial report of a vehicle accident with entrapment in unincorporated Suwanee.
"An Assessment of the scene revealed that the horse trailer was carrying three horses, one of which appeared to be entrapped with injuries," Strother said. "The box truck was carrying acetylene tanks with the potential for a Hazmat incident. Further assessment of the box truck revealed heavy damage to the vehicle but all acetylene tanks remained intact."
Strother said once that was confirmed, the tedious process of freeing the horses was initiated.
"Fire personnel did a thorough assessment of the damaged trailer and were able to assist two of the horses without the use of any heavy-duty equipment; these horses were able to stand up on their own after being removed from the trailer," he said. "It was determined that extrication tools would be needed in order to free the third horse.
Around 7 p.m. Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crews along with Gwinnett and Georgia State Police (GSP) units arrived on scene to divert traffic while firefighters worked to free the trapped horse via extrication.
"Firefighters did an outstanding job of cutting open the horse trailer without causing any further injury to the horse," he said. "Once extricated, the horse was able to walk despite its sustained injuries."
Strother said animal control was contacted to provide a trailer to transport the horses.
Two of the drivers involved in the accident were evaluated by paramedics and were transported to the nearest hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The second involved driver had no injuries and declined transport for further evaluation according to Strother.
The Hazmat team applied granular absorbents to help clean up the diesel fuel that had leaked onto the highway.
It is unknown at this time if charges will be taken against any of the drivers involved in the wreck.
