ROAD HOGS: M11 closed after lorry-load of pigs overturns (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

ROAD HOGS: M11 closed after lorry-load of pigs overturns

8:37am Wednesday 30th December 2009 in

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A SECTION of the M11 closed earlier this morning by a crashed lorry carrying pigs is expected to reopen by 2pm

The crash happened at about 4.45am this morning near Sheering when a lorry carrying live pigs struck the central reservation and overturned on the southbound carriageway of the motorway.

About 60-70 pigs were trapped in the wreckage and another dozen or so escaped, running on to the north and south carriageways.

Police officers, crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the Highways Agency a vet and RSPCA officers were called to the scene and helped to free the animals and round up those that escaped.

All the animals have now been transferred to other lorries and have been taken to their intended destination in the Brentwood area.

The motorway was closed north and southbound between Junctions 8 at Stansted and 7 at Harlow for the recovery of the animals and the lorry and for repairs to the central reservation.

Police have now left the scene and the closures are in the hands of the Highways Agency. Both lanes are expected to reopen by 2pm.

The lorry driver received head and shoulder injuries in the collision and was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.