The Southbound lanes of Interstate 95 were blocked near the 55-mile marker on the afternoon of September 5th. A northbound semi-truck hauling a horse trailer suffered a front right tire blowout, causing the truck to swerve into the median. The truck struck the guardrail under the Beach Road overpass, taking out approximately 100 feet of guardrail before entering the median and rolling over onto its passenger side. The truck continued to slide into the southbound lanes, striking a southbound semitruck in the cab. The overturned truck blocked all southbound lanes of traffic. The semi was transporting a racehorse who was trapped in the overturned truck. The horse suffered multiple non-life-threatening injuries, and one leg had become stuck in a side window of the trailer. Colleton County Firefighter-Paramedics, three of whom had experience working with horses, were able to calm the animal from another open window on the back of the trailer as crews used ladders to reach the top of the trailer and enter the compartment in an attempt to free the animal. Multiple fans were used to blow cooler air into the compartment, and cool water was provided to the horse during the extrication as temperatures were above 95 degrees. Crews attempted to remove a portion of the trailer, but the loud noises from the tools frightened the horse.
Colleton County Animal Services was requested and responded to the scene, as did Veterinarian Lori Campbell, who was at her home and responded to the accident scene. Dr. Campbell coordinated with Charleston Equine Veterinarian Dr. Brittany Carney, who came to the scene from Charleston County. Firefighter-Paramedics and Animal Services continued to calm the horse until the Veterinarians were able to sedate her enough for crews to perform the extrication. Once sedated, crews used Holmatro Pentheon rescue tools to cut the window guard from the side window and free her leg. They then used the rescue tools and a saw to remove a portion of the rear wall of the trailer to make a space large enough for the horse to exit the trailer. Gerald's Wreckerservice used a winch to pull the cut section off the trailer. The animal was able to exit the trailer on her own and was placed in Animal Services transport trailer. She was transported to Charleston Equine's facility for further treatment of her injuries. Once the horse was freed, Gerald’s and Eric Bailey's Large wreckers righted the truck and quickly cleared the debris from the highway. The truck driver was evaluated by Firefighter-Paramedics at the scene and did not require ambulance transportation to a medical facility. The driver of the second semi-truck did not sustain any injuries.
Southbound traffic on I-95 backed up for several miles. SCDOT erected a detour at Exit 57, routing traffic through Walterboro for several hours. The Interstate was reopened three and a half hours later. Nearby Benton's Hay Farm brought fresh hay to the scene to feed the horse. The coordinated operation ran well, with everyone pitching in to save the injured horse. The SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police are investigating the crash.
