PICTURED: Cows on M6 cause chaos as drivers left in 3-mile long traffic jam

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Drivers were stuck in three miles of traffic jams as the road was closed for nearly two hours

A pair of cows caused chaos caused chaos on one of Britains busiest motorways after they fell off the back of a lorry yesterday (August 1). The animals blocked the M6 for nearly two hours, and summer holidaymarkers were stuck in three-mile long traffic jams while the incident was dealt with.

Motorists suffered long delays between junctions 8 and 10 near Wolverhampton, which were closed in both directions as the injured animals were moved to safety. Other lorry drivers stopped to helped contain the cattle before both carriageways reopened at 11.45am but with delays of still up to 60 minutes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said on Twitter: “We have two injured cows in the carriageway two miles apart that have fallen from a lorry. Both southbound and northbound closed whilst we try get the injured cows off the motorway safely.

“Last thing we want is for them to bolt into moving traffic”

The road was closed for nearly two hours while the animals were moved to safetyThe road was closed for nearly two hours while the animals were moved to safety
The road was closed for nearly two hours while the animals were moved to safety | CMPG / SWNS

One of the cows fell to the road between junction 8 and 9 at around 10.20am while the other fell between junctions 9 and 10 - two miles apart. Drivers were warned to avoid the area as the incident was dealt with the help of police, highways workers and other drivers.

The force added: “Big thank you to the lorry drivers who stopped to help contain the cows as well as @HighwaysWMIDS @Trafficwmp @firearmsWMP.

“Big thank you to Whitewell Logisitcs Ltd who was in the trapped traffic and offered to help move cows off the carriageway.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1832
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice