Close call for livestock carrier
According to the driver the truck lost gear as he shifted down from fourth to third and consequently began rolling backwards.
A TRUCK transporting cattle jackknifed while travelling on the R66 near Melmoth last Thursday.
The incident occurred on a sharp, blind bend lined by a steep drop, referred to as ‘dead man’s corner’ approximately five kilometres outside Melmoth.
According to the driver the truck lost gear as he shifted down from fourth to third and consequently began rolling backwards.
Owing to the slippery roads and B-Link formation of the truck, the driver was unable to stop the trailers from doubling back to form a ‘U’ shape across the road.
Fortunately, the truck came to a halt without sustaining major damage and the driver escaped unscathed.
Empangeni SPCA attended to the scene and after overseeing the offloading of the cattle, reported no major injuries to the animals.
‘Apart from reporting incidents of cruelty, people also need to contact us in cases of emergencies such as these,’ said Empangeni SPCA Senior Inspector Roland Fivaz.
‘We don’t only deal with cats and dogs. We respond to all situations where animals can potentially be saved,’ he said.
