Firefighters Extricate Driver From Overturned Chicken Truck

The CFD extricated the driver of a tractor trailer following a crash on Interstate 24 EB on Tuesday afternoon- an exhausting operation that took nearly 90 minutes. The semi carrying chickens reportedly struck the guardrail and flipped in the median at 1:06 PM, trapping the driver in the cab and sending chickens all over the road. Other drivers not only called 911 to report the accident, but several also stopped and tried to free the driver from the wreckage at mile marker 172 (west of Cummings Highway). Squad 20, Squad 13, Quint 3, Battalion 1 (Green Shift) and CFD Special Operations responded, along with CPD, TDOT and HCEMS. Most of the chickens were deceased in the median. Some were alive. A crew from the poultry processing company went to the scene to retrieve the live chickens and assist in cleaning up the roadway. The truck driver was injured (extent unknown). A large wrecker headed to the site of the crash to help further stabilize the semi while firefighters got the patient out. The extrication took almost an hour and a half. The patient was then transported to the hospital. Squad 7 and Squad 1 also responded to provide relief. Thanks to East Ridge and Tri-Comm for covering at our fire halls and to Guy Yates for bringing a wrecker to aid in the response.

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