MONTOUR COUNTY, Pa. — Three monkeys escaped Friday from a tractor-trailer following a crash in Pennsylvania, according to police and multiple reports.
Officials closed State Route 54 in Montour County for about three hours after a trailer carrying 100 monkeys collided with a dump truck, WNEP reported. Pennsylvania State Trooper Andrew Pelachick told The Daily Item that the tractor-trailer was headed for a laboratory at the time of the crash.
Update 11:30 p.m. EST Jan. 22: By Saturday night, Pennsylvania State Police had secured the final monkey unaccounted for following the crash.
Just after 7 p.m. EST, two Pennsylvania troopers, Andrea Pelachick and Lauren Lesher, tweeted “All monkeys have been accounted for.”
Crash Update: All monkeys have been accounted for.
— Troopers Andrea Pelachick & Lauren Lesher (@PSPTroopFPIO) January 23, 2022
Update 2:35 p.m. EST Jan. 22: Authorities were still attempting to locate one of the monkeys, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
“We are asking that no one attempt to look for or capture the animal,” the agency said in a tweet.
Crash Update: There is still one monkey unaccounted for, but we are asking that no one attempt to look for or capture the animal. Anyone who sees or locates the monkey is asked not to approach, attempt to catch, or come in contact with the monkey. Please call 911 immediately.
— Troopers Andrea Pelachick & Lauren Lesher (@PSPTroopFPIO) January 22, 2022
Original report: The incident happened around 3:30 p.m EST., according to WBRE-TV.
A trailer carrying 100 monkeys collided with a dump truck this afternoon just off I-80 near Danville. According to state police, four of those monkeys got loose. The PA Game Commission is looking for the monkeys. pic.twitter.com/Ls4WsJeFPz
— WNEP (@WNEP) January 21, 2022
In a statement posted on social media, Pennsylvania State Police said, “a small number of monkeys may have fled the crash scene into the surrounding area.” People were asked to call 911 if they spotted any of the primates.
Crash update: A small number of monkeys may have fled the crash scene into the surrounding area. If the public spots one, please keep your distance and call 911 immediately. Health and safety of residents and visitors is our top priority.
— Troopers Andrea Pelachick & Lauren Lesher (@PSPTroopFPIO) January 22, 2022
At least one of the monkeys was found after the crash, WNEP reported. Authorities continue to search for the other missing primates.
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