Firefighters Save Injured Horse From Trailer In Wreck

SUWANEE, GA — Firefighters worked to save three horses while responding to a three-vehicle accident on I-85 in Suwanee, according to a release from the Gwinnett Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

A horse trailer, box truck and semi-trailer crashed around 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. The horse trailer had three horses in it, one of which appeared to have injuries.

To make matters worse, the box truck was carrying acetylene tanks, a potential hazmat risk. Firefighters later learned all the tanks were undamaged.

Once they determined the hazmat wasn't a problem, firefighters began work to freeing the horses. Two of the horses were able to stand on their own once released from the trailer, but the third required extraction tools, the release says.

"Firefighters did an outstanding job of cutting open the horse trailer without causing any further injury to the horse. Once extricated, the horse was able to walk despite its sustained injuries," the release says.

One person was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and another refused medical care.

The hazmat team spread absorbent materials to soak up the diesel fuel, and the wreckage was cleared.