A truck loaded with cattle crashed into a railway bridge on Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra last night, injuring numerous animals and causing significant traffic delays.
The top deck of the trailer was crushed during impact, with many of the cattle suffering significant injuries and multiple animals seen jumping from the trailer as they tried to escape. There were also reports of cattle wandering through streets.
The incident occurred before 8.30pm on Tuesday July 23, resulting in closures between Chapel Street and Punt Road, with motorists advised to avoid the area.
ALEXANDRA AVENUE , SOUTH YARRA – Closure remains in place between Chapel Street and Punt Road due to truck hitting the rail bridge. Crews are diverting traffic. Use Toorak Road or Swan Street as alternatives. Allow extra time through the… https://t.co/aYb9mgDGUp #VicTraffic
— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) July 23, 2024
Metro Trains also advised of major delays last night to its Cranbourne/ Pakenham/ Frankston /Sandringham lines as a result of the incident. However normal train services have resumed this morning, with some replacement buses still required.
⚠Cranbourne/ Pakenham/ Frankston /Sandringham lines: Major delays due to a vehicle hitting a bridge in the South Yarra area.
>Trains may remain stationary for extended periods at stations or in between stations.
>Select trains may terminate/originate at intermediate stations.…— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) July 23, 2024
Emergency services attended the scene, along with vets and Agriculture Victoria who treated the injured animals.
Another livestock carrier also had to be brought in to offload cattle from the wedged truck and remove them from the scene.
Animal welfare charity Farm Transparency Project also attended. “Despite vets being in attendance, several cows were euthanised on site due to the extent of their injuries. Others were tranquilised to aid in their removal from the vehicle,” it said on a post to its social media.
The driver was uninjured in the incident.
Alexandra Ave remained closed overnight for approximately eight hours, before reopening to traffic in the early hours of the morning.