Following an accident in which a lorry carrying 40 cows overturned on the A5 in Gobowen, Shropshire in which seven of the cows died, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council chair councillor, Erica Morgan, asking for approval to erect a memorial at the scene.
The tribute created by PETA would feature a picture of a cow and an inscription that reads, “In Memory of the Cows Who Suffered and Died in a Lorry Accident on This Spot. Try Vegan.”
The aim of the memorial is to remind all drivers, including those with animals on board, to slow down and travel safely.
PETA vice president of programmes, Elisa Allen, said the crash left animals “suffering”, and that the aim of the memorial is to prevent further tragedies, by reminding everyone to drive with care.
Lorry accident in Shropshire
A team of vets have been called “heroes” for helping to save 33 cattle from an overturned lorry in Gobowen, Shropshire.
The incident saw a double-decker vehicle carrying 40 cattle flip over, prompting an urgent call to the veterinary teams at Brownlow and Park Issa farm vets.
The swift response of the vets, supported by local farmers and the emergency services, resulted in the successful rescue of 33 cattle under “hugely challenging conditions”, IVC Evidensia Farm Vets said.
Five of the animals had to be put to sleep at the scene to prevent further suffering, and two others died because of injuries they sustained in the crash.
It took more than two hours before the team could safely open the lorry’s back door, and about five hours in total to free the last of the cattle.
Vitoria Hipolito, a vet involved in the rescue, said the incident demonstrated the strength of cooperation between vets, the farming community and emergency services.
“As farm vets, we work shoulder to shoulder with the farming community, and this incident demonstrated that unity,” she said.
