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Rollover traps 30 ponies in Eagle-Vail

Vail Daily staff report
Post Independent
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

EAGLE-VAIL, Colorado – A rollover accident on Highway 6 in Eagle-Vail on Tuesday left one pony dead, but dozens of other ponies were rescued.

The driver of the truck and his passenger were not hurt in the accident, which occurred at the westbound Interstate 70 off ramp at about 7 p.m.

A pickup truck towing a horse trailer with about 30 Shetland ponies rolled over while coming down the off ramp. Firefighters discovered about 30 animals trapped inside the horse trailer.



Firefighters from the Eagle River Fire Protection District called for the assistance of two local veterinarians to evaluate the animals once they were able to free them.

Chris Estes, of Gypsum, also assisted the firefighters, mobilizing several horse trailers and corral gates so that the animals could be removed safely and transported to the Eagle County Fairgrounds.



“We are very grateful for the help of our local veterinarians, Mr. Estes and his friends who rendered assistance,” said Chief Charlie Moore with the fire district.

The ponies were trapped for about two hours One animal died in the accident, but the remainder seemed to be in fairly good shape, Moore said..

The accident resulted in a spill of diesel fuel and brake fluid. Firefighters cleaned up the petroleum spill after the animals were rescued, Moore added.

The westbound off-ramp at Eagle-Vail was closed for about three hours and traffic on eastbound Highway 6 was also closed for a time.

The Colorado State Patrol, Eagle County Sheriff’s Department, Town of Avon Public Works and Colorado Department of Transportation also responded.


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