Texas highway crash releases 30 venomous snakes, baby alligator

June 30 (UPI) -- Authorities in Texas said a van crashed on the highway in the San Antonio area and released 30 snakes, a baby alligator and a tortoise.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said the van blew a tire about 12:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 35 near Shepherd Road, causing it to rollover onto the access road in the southwest part of the county.

The Somerset Volunteer Fire Department said the animals released in the crash include venomous rattlesnakes, copperhead snakes, a large diamondback rattlesnake and water moccasins.

Lytle Animal Control and Texas Game Warden officials responded to the scene to recapture the escaped reptiles.

The public information officer for Bexar County Emergency Services District 5 tweeted photos from the scene showing responders recapturing the snakes. The most recent update said 23 of the snakes had been recaptured, with one snake dead and the alligator still on the loose.

The driver of the van and a 9-year-old passenger were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center. Details of their injuries were not released.

The animals and vehicle involved in the crash are privately owned, the sheriff's office said.