09/24/2025
From Shamokin Dam Fire Company #1:
At 0207 hours, Company 90 was dispatched for a reported vehicle accident with no injuries and fluids down in the area of 4437 North Susquehanna Trail, Shamokin Dam, Snyder County.
Squad 90 arrived to find a pickup truck hauling a cattle trailer that had gone down a 20-foot embankment, with the trailer overturned in the creek.
A quick size-up determined the driver sustained only minor injuries, but the trailer still contained 106 newborn calves.
Additional resources were requested, including Company 70, extra manpower from Company 90, EMA, and PennDOT.
Aurands Auto Service LLC quickly removed the pickup truck from the embankment. Once the vehicle was cleared, it was determined that the trailer could not be lifted safely without risking further harm to the surviving calves.
A new plan was developed, requiring crews to cross the creek, clear brush, and create access to the trailer. Once access was made, it was confirmed that many calves were still alive, but they would need to be removed one at a time and carried up the embankment.
Due to the manpower-intensive operation, additional companies from Sunbury, Point Township, Northumberland, Winfield, and Kratzerville were requested.
Over the next 90 minutes, fire crews and farm workers worked side by side to remove calves from the trailer. In the end, several dozen were successfully rescued and loaded into a replacement trailer.
We would like to give a big thank you to the crews that assisted us this morning. Your help was greatly appreciated.
Hummels Wharf Fire-Rescue
Point Township Fire Company
Northumberland Fire Department
East Sunbury Hose Company #1
Kratzerville Volunteer Fire Company
Union Township Fire Company
Aurands Auto Service LLC