The driver of a tow truck that attended the truck roll over near Woorndoo on Sunday said the crash scene “wasn’t real flash”. 

Shirl McCosker from Modern Towing in Warrnambool said he attended the scene about 6pm on Sunday. 

“The truck was heading to the sale yards so there was a lot of cattle on that truck when he rolled over,” he said.

“We got the truck upright no worries but with cattle everywhere the scene wasn’t real flash.” 

Earlier

Eighteen cattle were killed when a semi-trailer rolled onto its side near Woorndoo on Sunday.

Leading Senior Constable Craig Walker, of Skipton police, said the truck, which was fully loaded with 66 cattle, was headed to the Mortlake market when the vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road and rolled over.

Leading Senior Constable Walker said 18 cattle were either killed by the impact of the crash or had to be euthanised.

The remaining cattle were assessed by DWELP staff and transferred to a local yard where they would be collected on Monday.

The driver received minor injuries in the accident, which happened about 4.50pm, and was taken to Ararat Base Hospital for observation.

Police from Skipton, Ararat, Camperdown and Warrnambool were called to the accident scene on the Ararat-Mortlake Road just north of Woorndoo.

The highway was blocked in both directions for a number of hours and was expected to reopen by about 8.30pm after the truck has been righted.

Leading Senior Constable Walker police were still investigating the cause of the accident.