20 Head of Cattle Killed in Overnight Train Collision

A train crashed into a cattle-filled trailer truck stuck on railroad tracks last night in Lubbock, killing some 20 cows.

The trailer truck had gotten hung on high center on the track just off Slaton Highway near Olive Street around 9:30 p.m. With the train approaching at 50 miles an hour, the driver jumped from the truck to safety and dialed 911.

The engineer tried to slow the train but was unable to stop. Arriving officers found dead animals scattered about the scene. Six cows were so badly injured they had to be shot. About 20 animals survived. Crews worked for hours freeing some animals remaining barricaded in the wrecked trailer.