Twenty pigs die after livestock lorry overturns on A16

Pigs have been killed at the roadside after a livestock lorry overturned on the A16 (Photo: Lincolnshire Live)
Pigs have been killed at the roadside after a livestock lorry overturned on the A16 (Photo: Lincolnshire Live)

Twenty pigs have died due to a livestock lorry flipping over on its side on the A16.

The incident happened on the 11 January, when extreme gale force winds battered much of the UK.

Some of the pigs were so severely injured as the lorry overturned on the A16 bypass at Cowbit, Lincolnshire at about 10am, they are having to be put down.

Police were at the scene and vets have been assessing the welfare of the animals, the Lincolnshire Echo reports.

Nick Purnell, spokesman for one of Britain's leading food companies Tulip Ltd, said: "The driver is thankfully uninjured and has been treated for shock by paramedics.

"We have had to take immediate measures to euthanize a small number of animals due to the nature of injuries sustained. The remaining animals are being taken to the Spalding site for further examination and assessment by onsite vets. It is too early to confirm the cause of the incident and we are working in full co-operation with authorities."

An eye witness who passed the area soon after the accident said he could see emergency services pulling animals from the lorry.