UPDATE: As of 9:45 p.m., authorities said about 35 head of cattle had been removed and 40 more are still awaiting transfer. Several of the animals are confirmed dead but an exact number wasn't yet available.

EARLIER: An overturned cattle truck on Dead Man's Curve has killed some of the livestock, sent the driver to the hospital and shut down traffic.

The crash happened about 3 p.m. on Interstate 20 westbound, said Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Capt. Harold Watson. He said the driver, whose name has not been released, lost control in the curve and turned over onto its passenger side.

The driver was conscious when he was transported to the hospital. The extent of his injuries wasn't immediately known.

Watson the truck was carrying between 45 to 145 heads of cattle. He said rescue workers have not been able to get into the livestock compartment because they would get trampled, but said they can glance through slats in the truck and tell that some of the animals are dead.

Firefighters have stretched a hose nearly a mile long so that they can spray a mist on the cattle to keep them cool in the truck. He said "The Cowboys" from Jemison are en route to unload the cattle. They will set up a makeshift corral on the interstate to contain the livestock as they unload them one by one.

He said they are expecting two trucks - one for the live animals, and one to transport those that have been killed.

The cowboys arrived on the scene shortly before 5 p.m.

That portion of the interstate will remained shut down until the livestock is transferred and the wrecked tractor trailer cleared.