Four thoroughbred horses were stranded on the side of the Coquihalla highway near Merritt on Sunday afternoon after their hauler’s truck caught fire, snarling traffic.
DriveBC says Highway 5 is now open to traffic.
Stephanie Seraina Schenkel of Salmon Arm tells Global Okanagan the horses belong to her.
She said a hauler picked up the horses from Burns Lake and the Lower Mainland and was on route to deliver them to her in Salmon Arm. She buys and sells horses for a living.
“There was an issue with the pickup truck earlier this week and he had it in a shop and they said it was all fine and then while he was going up the Coquihalla it had started smoking and burning,” she said.
“He pulled over right away and got the horses out and by the time he got out to the front it was engulfed in flames already.”
She said a volunteer offered to pick up the horses and deliver them to her.
“I’m really grateful for everyone who was on the highway and is standing with my horses still and is looking after them.”
RCMP said the truck is still on the side of the road as they wait for it to cool down before it is towed away.
Schenkel said the driver and the horses were not injured in the incident.
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