Malanda family's terrifying car crash with cows caught on camera

A family’s terrifying car crash into a mob of wandering cattle has been caught on camera in the state’s far north. Warning: Viewer discretion is advised.

A horrifying video shows a Far North Queensland family’s car hitting a mob of cattle on a busy main road, injuring five people, killing three cows and prompting calls for better fencing.

The Malanda-Atherton Rd is a 100km/h route between the two towns, used daily by hundreds of motorists, including large trucks and motorbikes.

Earlier this year, Malanda father Zane Taylor, his wife and their three children, including a toddler, were rushed to hospital after their car hit a group of stationary cows from Gallo Farm near Pink Bridge.

Chilling footage shows a family’s car hitting cattle on a regional highway, sparking calls for better fencing. Picture: Supplied

“The kids were in the back, glass shattered and sprayed everywhere. We all had whiplash and were in shock,” Mr Taylor said.

The dashcam footage, exclusively obtained by the Cairns Post, showed the terrifying moment of the accident when a second vehicle can be seen approaching from the oncoming lane.

“The cattle appeared out of nowhere,” he said.

“It was impossible to avoid hitting them.”

The father of three said it had been hard to get the kids back into the car after the accident.

“Three (cattle) went over the top of the car, another two hit the side of the vehicle and one bounced off the bonnet into the windscreen and up onto the roof,” he said.

Residents have said better fences, improved visibility or changes to speed, are needed for the stretch of road to improve safety. Picture: Emma Cam

The cows belonged to Atherton Tablelands dairy farmer, John Gallo, at Gallo Farm.

A spokeswoman from Gallo Farms said they were sorry to hear about the accident but confirmed they regularly maintained fences on their property.

“Animals will be animals and cows can barge their way through fences,” the spokeswoman said.

“We don’t want to lose the cattle either, but we do maintain our fences.”

The stretch of road near Gallo Farms and Pinks Bridge, where cattle have been spotted, lacks street lighting and cattle warning signs.

Mr Taylor said it was dangerous having cattle roaming free along a 100km/h road.

The stretch of road where the cows have been spotted is near Gallo Farm and Pinks Bridge. Picture: Emma Cam

“The kids had marks on their neck and things like that from the impact and the seat belts,” he said.

“The fence needs to be higher to prevent this from happening again, before someone dies.”

TMR maintain all state roads and manage clean up as well as mowing of the grass. Picture: Emma Cam

There are also growing calls to reform an old Queensland law, as key stakeholders push to change the controversial legislation that leaves crash victims without legal recourse.

Under Queensland’s common law, derived from the 1947 English House of Lords decision in Searle v Wallbank, landowners are under no legal obligation to fence their property to prevent domestic animals from straying onto public roads.

However, local councils in the state, including the Tablelands, have by-laws requiring livestock owners to properly secure their animals.

Tablelands Regional Council chief executive, Dr Nikola Stepanov, said the council promptly responds to reports of livestock on roads in the region. Picture: Emma Cam

Tablelands Regional Council chief executive, Dr Nikola Stepanov, said the council promptly responds to reports of livestock on roads in the region.

“The actions we take may include liaising with owners, impounding animals and issuing compliance notices,” she said.

Dr Stepanov said owners of livestock on land adjoining a road are required by Local Law No. 2 to adequately fence their property to prevent animals escaping onto the road.

“Failure to comply is an offence and may attract a fine,” she said.

Speed limits on state-controlled roads are set in accordance with state guidelines to maintain consistency across the state and to reflect road conditions. Picture: Emma Cam

The Queensland Law Reform Commission first recommended abolishing the common law rule in 1977, calling it outdated and inconsistent with modern safety standards. All other states in Australia have ditched the law, aside from the Northern Territory.

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland has also argued road users who suffer injury or damage due to the proven negligence of a stock owner should be entitled to fair compensation.

Residents said the vegetation has not been maintained along the Malanda–Atherton state controlled road. Picture: Emma Cam

Speed limits on state-controlled roads are set in accordance with state guidelines to maintain consistency across the state and to reflect road conditions.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said their thoughts were with the Taylor family after their accident with the Gallo cows.
“TMR encourages motorists to drive with caution and to conditions, especially in rural areas at night where livestock and other animals can cross the road,” he said.

Originally published as Malanda family's terrifying car crash with cows caught on camera