HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. - Three elephants were stranded for a short time on the side of an interstate in Indiana when the tractor-trailer hauling them slid off the road.

Officials told RTV6 the elephants were on their way to the circus.

Officials said the semi hauling the elephants was driving eastbound toward Indianapolis, about 3 to 4 miles from the major pileup that snarled Interstate 70 traffic Thursday.

The truck was not involved in the pileup.

Indiana State Police said the elephants' trainer loaded them off the semi while the truck was pulled back onto the roadway. 

Police said the elephants were not injured and were never loose.