A lorry transporting 200 pigs overturned near Ilminster yesterday (Thursday), leaving the driver injured and 130 of the animals dead.

The driver was trapped when the HGV overturned at the A303 Southfield Roundabout.

When the fire service was called at 12.48pm, it dispatched three fire engines. Crews got to work freeing the trapped driver and called for specialist rescue equipment from Bridgwater to help release the pigs.

The driver was successfully freed and taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton by ambulance.

The majority of the pigs were either killed in the accident or left injured. A vet remained on the scene for several hours.

Using hydraulic cutting equipment,edraulic rescue equipment, air operated tools and a triple extension ladder, firefighters managed to rescue 70 of the pigs. 

As firefighters managed to rescue the surviving animals, a local farmer helped load them into another lorry.

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At just after 4pm a spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “We were called at 12.50 to an overturned lorry with 200 pigs on board near Ilminster Services.

“Police and ambulance also in attendance.

“Four fire appliances attended and crews released the driver from the cab and he was left in the hands of the paramedics.

“Fire crews are in the process of transferring the animals from the lorry to another transport vehicle with the assistance of a local farmer and the driver.

“Currently, 50 pigs have been rescued while others are deceased and injured. A vet is also in attendance. The incident is ongoing.”

By 7.26pm the fire crews left the scene in the hands of the police.

Police had closed the road when they arrived on the scene at 12.50pm. The road remained closed until the lorry had been recovered and the debris removed.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Emergency services are responding to an incident in Somerset where a lorry has overturned.

“The vehicle was carrying livestock when it overturned at the A303 Southfield Roundabout, near Ilminster.

“Police were called to the scene at 12.50pm this afternoon (Thursday, February 23).

“A road closure is currently in place while work is carried out to protect the livestock before vehicle recovery work can take place.”