The driver of an overturned livestock lorry is “safe and well” however the M1 near Loughgall is expected to remain closed for “several more hours” as 40 cattle are rescued.
The M1 from junction 12 at the Birches in Portadown and junction 13 near the Black Island Road turn-off has been closed and will remain so into the afternoon.
Fire crews from Dungannon, Portadown and Armagh, along with two specialist animal rescue teams, and a specialist rescue team from Central fire station, are on the scene at the moment.
There are also two vets on scene caring for the welfare of the cattle as they are individually rescued.
NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Area Commander David Doherty, speaking to The Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster, said: “Thankfully, the driver is safe and well, but we have 40 cattle that are trapped in the lorry, so we’re currently carrying out an evacuation of those animals.
“We have a rescue plan in place. We are offloading those animals into another vehicle to transport them away safely.
“It’s a fairly challenging operation at the moment. It means that both lanes of the motorway are currently closed and will be for several hours.”
Mr Doherty would not be drawn on the cause of the incident stating that that was for the police to investigate.
He added: “This will be a proactive operation. A large vehicle like this with two decks, which has obviously been affected by the impact of the crash.
“It is quite a comprehensive operation, that is why our specialist crew are here with our normal crews. It is quite a complex task for our fire fighters.
“We are rescuing [the cattle] as quick as we can as with any vehicle accident. There will be issues there, there is entrapment.
“But we are working as fast as we can for their welfare. We have to do it as quickly and as safely as possible.”
