Cows bring M73 and M74 to standstill

Apr 2 2008 By Richard Mooney

A HERD of escaped cattle caused mayhem for motorists last night after the lorry carrying them overturned on the M73.

The accident happened on the northbound carriageway near the Baillieston interchange in Glasgow at around 6pm.

The M74 was tailed back to the Raith interchange at Hamilton where motorists had to wait last night for the incident to be resolved.

The emergency services were called to the accident and police were forced to close the M73 and M74.

A police spokesperson said: “A double-decker lorry containing around 40 cattle overturned on the M73 northbound near the Baillieston interchange.

“No one was hurt.

“Last night we thought about eight of the cattle had escaped onto the motorway, causing the M73 to be closed. Three of them were rounded up into various fields and were left in there.

“This morning at around half past four, the cattle got out of the fields and back onto the motorway and caused a bit of chaos.

“As a result, the M73 and M74 were closed as they tried to round up the cattle again.

“Three are still in the field, three are dead and we’re trying to track another one down.”

Two SSPCA inspectors were also at the scene last night to help the emergency services with the terrified animals.

The M73 and M74 have now re-opened.

If you have any pictures of the cows, please send them in.