A semi filled with turkeys flipped coming into Blumenort Wednesday morning.

Steinbach Fire Chief Kel Toews says the truck was pulling off Highway 12 from the north and flipped while rounding the corner onto Provincial Road 311. The mishap occurred around 11:30. Toews says there is no word yet on what caused the semi to flip.

Toews says the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was transported to hospital for precautionary reasons.

The trailer contained approximately 2,300 turkeys. As of 12:30 Wednesday afternoon the trailer was still on its side and Toews says they won't know how many birds perished in the crash until the truck is raised upright. It is not immediately known which company the truck belongs to.

"There will definitely be some deceased turkeys," says Toews. "We're waiting for some heavy equipment to right the truck and we've got crews standing by to unload whatever viable turkeys are left."

An empty Granny's Poultry truck is at the scene ready to assist in transporting any living turkeys.

Toews says it is difficult to predict how long the 311 will remain closed. He notes there is considerable damage to the trailer and raising it will be a tedious job.

Though PR 311 is closed east of Penner Drive for all eastbound traffic, westbound traffic turning onto the 311 from Highway 12 may still do so.