EAST HELENA — A freight train hit a herd of elk east of Helena, killing about two dozen animals.
Montana Rail Link spokesman Jim Lewis said the collision happened at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Spokane Creek Road, about three miles east of East Helena. He said it is unusual for a train to hit such a large number of animals.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks Warden Sgt. Dave Loewen told the Independent Record that the collision killed 23 elk. The meat was not salvageable.
Loewen said MRL workers were moving the carcasses out of the sight of the highway.
Lewis said there were no injuries and no equipment was damaged.