Cows injured in South Yarra as cattle truck smashes into bridge

Witnesses have described the “heartbreaking” and “gut-wrenching” scenes as cows were hurt trying to escape as the truck they were being transported in got wedged under a bridge.

Cows were injured in a horror crash in South Yarra when a truck smashed into a rail bridge, causing traffic mayhem.

The truck the animals were being transported in became wedged under a bridge on Alexandra Ave about 8.15pm on Tuesday.

Shocked onlookers said there were harrowing scenes of cows getting hurt as they tried to escape, including cows jumping from the trailer.

Cows were hurt in the crash on Tuesday night. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The truck hit a rail bridge. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Several cows were seen trying to escape the back of the truck. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The incident happened on Alexandra Ave. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Joel Biju was driving with his friends when he heard the horror unfold and pulled over.

“We were just driving through and we saw this truck had gone through the bridge,” he said.

“The cows were in pain you could hear it, we saw one with blood coming out his mouth.

“They were just trying to get out. It’s heartbreaking.”

Resident Charlie Homer came out after hearing the crash to “see a cow running down the road”.

He said he was concerned for the animal’s wellbeing and followed the cow as it ran from the scene.

“As far as we could, he was too quick, by the time we got to (Punt Rd) he was gone,” he said.

Witnesses said it was a horrible scene with cows injured. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Multiple cows were seen jumping from the trailer. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The truck became wedged under the bridge. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Another witness, Angus MacIsaac, said he saw a cow “running off down the road and running across towards the river”.

“It’s gut-wrenching for the cows,” he said.

Traffic was being diverted as a section of Alexandra Ave between Punt Rd and Yarra St was blocked off.

A tow truck arrived at 9.45pm as responders began to co-ordinate how to remove the wedged cattle truck.

Rescue crews had brought in a second truck to offload the bottom level of cows to remove them from the scene.

Specialist veterinarians were also called to the scene to assess the injured cows.

On Tuesday night, several escaped cows had not been accounted for.

Police said the truck driver was uninjured.