Area drivers along I-26 were in stand still traffic for several hours going westbound on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after a cattle truck overturned.

The truck overturned around 1 p.m. near mile marker 63 at the top of the Saluda grade. Both westbound lanes were closed for about three hours, causing traffic to be backed up several miles from Saluda past the Columbus exit.

The truck was hauling 77 cattle, with rescue crews having to cut into the truck to transfer the cattle to another truck.

Both sides of the interstate were closed initially but the eastbound lanes and one westbound lane were later open to traffic.

The driver, from Missouri, told news reporters he overcorrected causing the truck to overturn. He was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for what appeared to be minor injuries. Veterinarians were also called to tend to the cattle.

The cattle were transported to another truck and taken to the Western North Carolina Livestock Center in Canton.