1st August 2023.
Two cows unexpectedly fell from a moving lorry on the M6, leading to the closure of the busy motorway for nearly two hours. The incident occurred between junctions J7 and J10, near Walsall, resulting in significant delays for motorists as authorities worked to secure and rescue the injured animals.
The shutdown of the motorway took place on Tuesday, August 1, starting at 10:20 a.m. During the closure, cameras captured empty carriageways, and drivers were advised to consider using the M6 Toll as an alternative route.
West Midlands Police dispatched officers to the scene to ensure the safety of both motorists and the cows. The owner of the cows was cooperative in assisting the authorities’ efforts.
Dash camera footage captured the moment when the cow “exited” the vehicle.
In a tweet, the Central Motorway Police Group informed the public about the situation, stating that both southbound and northbound carriageways were closed while they worked on safely removing the injured cows from the motorway to avoid any risks of them running into traffic.
The motorway’s closure was lifted at 11:45 a.m., but drivers were cautioned to anticipate delays of approximately 60 minutes as traffic gradually returned to normal. Special gratitude was expressed to the considerate lorry drivers who stopped to help contain the cattle, with Whitewell Logistics Ltd being specifically acknowledged for offering assistance in moving the cows off the carriageway.
