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Camel dies in trailer accident

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A 5-year-old dromedary (one humped) camel died Friday morning, Feb. 1, after the trailer it was traveling in overturned on State Route 78, according to California Highway Patrol.

The camel was being transported by Gil and Nancy Riegler of Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona to its home in Camp Verde, Ariz., said CHP Officer Joe Nielsen.

At 7:50 a.m., the truck that was pulling the trailer was westbound on Route 78 just east of Second Street at about 40 mph, when the driver felt a “tug” on the back, reported CHP Public Information Officer Brian Pennings. For reasons still under investigation, Pennings said the trailer disconnected from the truck and the safety chains broke. The trailer then collided with an ascending dirt embankment on the right shoulder, he said.

Nielsen said the trailer landed on its left side in the road.

“Evidence shows they weren’t driving reckless,” he said.

“Unfortunately it inflicted fatal injuries to the camel that was inside the horse trailer and it succumbed from the force of the collision,” Pennings reported.

Nielsen said the couple had brought the camel to Oasis 14 months ago.

“They were boarding it and taking care of it,” he said.

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