Cows stampede on I-680 freeway near Concord

CONCORD — Authorities were faced with a surreal scene late Thursday when a trailer hauling a herd of cattle broke loose, allowing the animals to escape into traffic near the interchange of Highway 4 and Interstate 680.

At least two of the animals were struck and had to be euthanized, and traffic was backed up in all directions as police and fire crews worked to corral the wayward herd.

The California Highway Patrol received several reports of the incident starting at 8:24 p.m. A CHP dispatcher was told that cows were stampeding in the roadway on eastbound Highway 4 just east of the I-680 interchange. Two of the animals were hit and died immediately, said CHP spokesman Sgt. Trent Cross.

One caller told the CHP dispatcher that one of the animals was struck and wounded by a vehicle. The caller then said that another motorist in a truck got out and used a knife to slit the animal's throat, then pulled the carcass off the roadway. Cross could not confirm that account Thursday.

A reporter and photographer confirmed at least one dead cow was visible at the side of the southbound I-680 on-ramp leading from eastbound Highway 4.

Meanwhile, Martinez police and Contra Costa Fire crews joined the CHP at the scene to corral the remaining cattle. They turned off their sirens so not to spook them, Cross said.

The CHP issued a traffic alert at 9:40 p.m., shutting down Highway 4 between the I-680 interchange and Solano Way.

Cross said the cattle truck's

driver was cooperating with authorities to round up the remaining cows. Two of the animals were caught on Highway 4 near Morello Avenue. Two more were caught near Marsh Road, and one was captured on northbound I-680, Cross said.

The CHP used a helicopter to assist in the capture of the remaining cows, one of which made it as far as the Benicia Bridge toll plaza — a seven-mile trek — where it was reported walking in the FasTrak toll lane.