Clement barn horses die after van crashes in New Jersey

UPDATED: Trainer Christophe Clement announced via Twitter that a deadly accident overnight as a horse transport headed toward New York included members of his barn.

ORIGINAL: Multiple local media outlets confirmed 10 horses died as a horse van crashed Sunday morning on the New Jersey Turnpike.

According to Paulick Report, the vehicle was a Sallee Horse Vans transport moving from Florida to New York.

The vehicle hit the median on the turnpike near East Windsor and became engulfed in flames.

Reached by Horse Racing Nation, a Sallee Horse Vans official said the company had no comment at this time.

But in a statement to the Paulick Report, the company said: "While our drivers attempted to rescue the horses, it was not possible. Both drivers have been taken to the hospital, one driver has been released, and the other is being treated for smoke inhalation. Two horses escaped; one died outside the van, and the other had to be humanely put to sleep.”

Sallee Horse Vans has offices in Lexington, Ky.; Ocala, Fla.; and Elmont, N.Y. The company has been in operation since 1963.