A B-Double truck carrying 77 cattle rolled over on the Ashford Road near Airlie Brake Lane at Bukulla, north of Inverell, at 5.40 pm on Sunday, March 25.
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Inverell police reported that the driver allegedly lost control after his truck left the bitumen.
The driver managed to free himself from the cabin with minimal injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment.
Almost half of the stock being transported was lost as a result of the rollover with 32 cattle dying on the spot or being euthanised despite the hard work of the rescue crews to free the trapped animals.
Crews also worked to remove 1,600 litres of diesel that was leaking from both fuel tanks and with early response managed to prevent significant environmental damage.
In a Facebook post, 302 Glen Innes Fire and Rescue NSW wrote that after “around 2 hours with the assistance of our reciprocating air pump, both fuel tanks were decanted into two 1,000 litre pods and were removed by Inverell Council.”
The road was shut down to traffic on Sunday afternoon and was opened again late on Monday morning, March 26, as Inverell Shire Council staff worked to remove the deceased stock and restore safety at the site.
302 Glen innes Fire and Rescue NSW, Inverell RFS, the VRA and police were also on the scene.
Motorists are asked to drive with caution when travelling in the area to avoid accidents such as this one to survive the drive.
The matter is still under investigation.
