Dozens of cattle were killed when a semi-trailer collided with a CN freight train in western Manitoba on Tuesday night.

The accident happened at about 11 p.m. CT, at the point where the tracks cross Highway 5 just north of Carberry, Man. There was dense fog in the area at the time, according to police.

"It was very messy. The train subsequently derailed," Cpl. Jerrid St. Pierre told CBC News on Wednesday.

"Three of the cars struck a local Viterra elevator storage shed, causing substantial damage to that building as well."

The semi was hauling 82 head of cattle at the time. Only 11 survived and some of those are still running loose, according to RCMP.

"Many of them were destroyed or injured on the scene, and a little less than half of them have been recovered and corralled," St. Pierre said.

The man driving the semi was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. No one from the train was reported to have been injured.

Highway 5 was closed for several hours.

Other than a small diesel leak from the semi, there was no environmental damage or concerns, RCMP said.

Although the highway is open, CN crews remain on scene to repair the line. Drivers are asked to proceed with caution.

Thick fog still hung in the area late Wednesday morning, with about 100 metres of visibility, according to police.

The investigation into the accident is continuing and there is no word on whether any charges are pending.

Carberry is located about 160 kilometres west of Winnipeg.