A truck driver transporting four sharks to an aquarium lost control of his vehicle, veered off the road and crashed into the woods on Interstate 95 near Oak Hill, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon, according to Florida Highway Patrol. One shark was killed in the accident; the driver and two other passengers were unharmed, reported ABC News.
"[The] tire blew out and we ended up in the ditch," said unhurt passenger Frank Young. "Accidents happen. We're just glad everyone is OK."
The 18-wheeler was delivering the sharks to the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, N.Y., from Marathon, Fla., when the incident took place. The sharks had been placed in separate tanks in the trailer. The impact of the crash damaged one of the tanks, which lead to the animal's death.
The remaining three sandbar sharks survived the crash, and a SeaWorld rescue team from Orlando rushed to the scene to move the fish to the facility until new transportation arrangements are made. "They're in good condition," said SeaWorld rescue team member Jim Kinsler. "Nothing different from normal transport stress," according to NBC afilliate WESH.
