Low Bridge Crash Kills 22 Cows, Unleashing Herd Onto Highway

A truck transporting cattle across Australia hit a low bridge, ripping the top off the truck and killing more than 20 of the cows onboard. Following the crash, other cows escaped onto the highway before being rounded up by police. The truck carrying 75 cows hit the low bridge in Melbourne, Australia, the Guardian reports. Some cows were killed in the crash while others had to be euthanized as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. As the Guardian reports:

Victorian authorities believe 22 cattle have died after a truck carrying the animals crashed into a bridge in Melbourne, with transport groups questioning why the route was being used.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night when the truck crashed into a rail bridge on Alexandra Avenue in South Yarra at about 8.25pm.

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The top deck of the trailer was crushed by the impact, with many of the cattle injured and at least one animal was seen jumping from the trailer. There were also reports of at least two cattle wandering through streets immediately after the collision.

Video of the aftermath of the crash shared online shows the damage sustained to the top of the trailer. Its roof crumpled under the bridge and the sides of the truck caved in. Cows can be seen standing on the roof of the trailer and others are seen wandering the streets after the walls broke down.

The cows, which were from Australia’s dairy industry, were rounded up by police and veterinary experts following the crash. They were initially assessed on the scene, before being transported to another facility for more thorough health checks or to be euthanized. As animal welfare group Farm Transparency Project explained in a statement:

With Victoria Police and Agriculture Victoria showing little interest in the welfare of the cows, and instead prioritizing the removal of cows from the truck’s lower level onto a second truck to be sent to a slaughterhouse, volunteers from Vets For Compassion pushed to be allowed to tranquilise the injured to relieve them of their pain and suffering and assess their condition. Several cows had to be euthanized on site due to the extent of their injuries.

While dozens of the cows were killed as a result of the crash, the driver reportedly walked away from the scene unharmed. However, they are now facing questions over why they elected to follow a route that would pass under the low bridge.

The driver reportedly failed to follow the correct diversion for large trucks, which was in place and would have led the vehicle around the low bridge. Authorities are now working with the trucking company to see why this happened.

This is far from the first time that a truck has hit a low bridge. In fact, 11-foot-8 bridges are a menace across America’s roads, destroying everything from semi trucks to garbage compactors.

22 cattle die after ‘horrific’ truck crash into Melbourne rail bridge