EAST HELENA, Mont. — A freight train hit a herd of elk east of Helena, killing 23 animals.
State wildlife officials tell the Independent Record (http://bit.ly/1PzHyYi ) that the collision happened at about 6 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Spokane Creek Road, about three miles east of East Helena.
Warden Sgt. Dave Loewen said the elk are not salvageable. Loewen said Montana Rail Link workers were going to move the carcasses out of the sight of the highway.
An MRL spokesman didn't immediately return a phone message seeking to learn if the train was damaged or any employees were injured.
