200 sheep die after truck crashes near Scio

A commercial truck transporting more than 300 sheep crashed and overturned near Scio Friday morning.

Oregon State Police reported that emergency responders from the Linn County Sheriff's Office and OSP were dispatched to the scene on Highway 226, milepost 4, at around 10:45 a.m.

Initial reports indicated some of the sheep were injured and killed, and others removed from the trailer. By late afternoon police reported that 200 sheep died, either directly from the crash or subsequently euthanized at the direction of the sheep's owner who came to the scene.

The driver was transported by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries to Samaritan Albany General Hospital. Police said the driver may have had a medical problem causing the vehicle to go off the roadway and overturn.

OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings said firefighters, police and citizens worked together to help remove sheep from the overturned trailer. Veterinarians and other personnel from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine were also called to assist with handling the remaining injured sheep.

Workers remained at the crash site for vehicle removal and to clear the scene well into the afternoon. Police said the names of the sheep owner and driver were not available.