Crates with 6,500 live chickens spill onto highway near Wadena

A semi-trailer hauling a load of 6,500 live chickens lost most of its load in a crash on Highway 5 near Wadena, Sask., Tuesday.

According to RCMP, the truck driver veered off the highway (onto the shoulder) and as he was trying to return to the driving lane, his load shifted sending several crates of live chickens into the ditch.

RCMP said the driver, a 27-year-old man, received treatment on the scene and was taken to the hospital in Wadena.

There was no immediate word on the fate of all the birds, but images from the scene suggest many perished.

RCMP said clean-up crews were on the site.

Wadena is about 215 kilometres east of Saskatoon.