Hogs die in collision near Flora

Loaded semi trailer avoids serious collision

Twenty-one of 170 hogs being transported to Indiana Packers Corp. near Delphi died Monday morning after the semi-tractor trailer they were in was involved in a traffic accident a mile east of Flora.

Christopher Ontrop, driving for Alig Farms of Fort Recovery, Ohio, was westbound on SR 18 at 10:15 a.m. when he observed 90-year-old Evan Flora of Flora, who was driving a tractor, start crossing the highway in a northwesterly direction. Ontrop reportedly was able to slow his rig down, but still struck the front end of the bucket on Flora's tractor.

According to investigating officer, Mark Thomas, of the Flora Police Dept., the rig was almost stopped when it struck the tractor. Ontrop was trying to avoid Flora, said Thomas, and because of the ditch decline and the weight in the trailer shifting, the semi-tractor and trailer fell over on its side.

Neither Flora or Ontrop were injured. Both men refused medical treatment.

Thomas said a representative from IPC helped coordinate moving the hogs from the damaged trailer to two other trailers. Several area farmers also assisted.

Hogs are being moved for transport

Clean-up took approximately two and a half hours, said Thomas. One lane was open for most of that time.

Assisting at the scene were Flora Volunteer Fire Department and the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.