Significant sheep losses in Shropshire lorry crash

A lorry carrying about 450 sheep overturned on a Shropshire road, leaving the driver trapped and killing a significant number of animals.

Emergency services were called to the A489 near Bishop’s Castle at about 2.45pm on Tuesday 12 May after the vehicle tipped onto its side, forcing the closure of the road.

Officers from West Mercia Police said the driver was freed from the cab by firefighters from Bishop’s Castle Fire Station before being handed over to ambulance crews and the Midlands Air Ambulance.

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The sheep transporter lies on its side after the crash © West Mercia Police

After being assessed at the scene, he was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

Specialist rescue teams from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, alongside local farmers and vets, worked to recover the livestock.

Police said many sheep were saved, although a “significant number” died in the crash. Six fire appliances attended the incident from Bishop’s Castle, Clun and Wellington.

In a statement on Bishop’s Castle and Clun Police’s Facebook page, officers thanked everyone involved for their “professionalism and teamwork” during the recovery operation.

Police closed the road after the crash on the A489 © West Mercia Police