Two killed, one injured as 350,000-pound load detaches from trailer in Temple, Texas

Authorities are investigating after an oversized load came off its trailer, causing the death of two people and leaving one person injured Saturday morning in Temple, Texas.

The Temple Fire and Rescue said crews responded to a motor vehicle collision on state Highway 36, just west of Highway 317. When officials arrived, they found an oversized load had come off its trailer, pinning a vehicle beneath.

Officials said the load being hauled by the transport fleet was approximately 350,000 pounds.

The pinned vehicle had three people inside. Two people were pronounced deceased on scene, and the third person was transported by helicopter to the ER. Officials say the extrication process took over four hours to remove the driver from the vehicle.

The Temple Fire and Rescue department responded with 10 units and 25 staff members. Several other departments assisted with rescue efforts: Georgetown Fire Department Special Operations Team, Killeen Fire Department Special Operations Team, Belton Fire Department, Temple Police Department, TX DPS, TX DOT, PHI Air Medical, Baylor Scott & White Surgical Staff, Temple EMS, Temple Towing, Wards Towing, and Grones Environmental.

Officials say, the cause of the collision is still under investigation.

The road remains closed at this time with crews on scene, as clean up and recovery efforts continue.