On the scene: A semi-trailer, with about 600 sheep onboard, rolled over on Warren St, Echuca, on Wednesday.
Photo by
Shannon Colee
Traffic along Warren St, Echuca, was disrupted for almost six hours on Wednesday after a semi-trailer carrying livestock rolled over on the roundabout near the new Echuca-Moama bridge.
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Police, CFA, SES and paramedics attended the scene.
The incident, which occurred about 11.30am, resulted in the death of over a third of the 600 sheep onboard the semi-trailer at the time.
Tragedy: Police estimate that more than 200 sheep either died or were euthanised due to the rollover.
Photo by
Shannon Colee
Echuca Police’s Acting Sergeant Scott Newton said “it was believed that the semi-trailer ... overbalanced on roundabout and was tipped on its side”.
The driver, a man the police believe to be in his 40s, was trapped in the vehicle for a short time but later taken to the Echuca Regional Health with minor injuries.
Acting Sgt Newton said speed and driver impairment was not a factor and that at this stage it was believed the sheep might have shifted, affecting the balance of the truck.
Helping out: The driver, a man in his 40s, was trapped in the vehicle for a short time but suffered only minor injuries.
Photo by
Shannon Colee
The four dogs in the semi-trailer, which were the owned by the driver, were unharmed.
Acting Sgt Newton said “over 200 of the sheep died or had to be euthanised” by specialist units while the remaining livestock was removed by a different company.
The semi-trailer was moved by heavy haulage trucks that used chains to get it back up.
No go: The Warren St rollover affected traffic for almost six hours.
Photo by
Shannon Colee
Traffic northbound was reopened at 1.20pm with a full reopening of Warren St just before 5pm.
Acting Sgt Newton thanked “all locals and those on the scene who helped out”.
