A KOROIT woman who spent five days in hospital after driving into a mass of stray cows on the Princes Highway has pleaded with landowners to control their stock.
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The mother-of-five had just dropped her children off and was returning home when she smashed into a pack of 12 loose cows on the highway at Illowa on May 27.
She was released from hospital late last week, having suffered neck and back injuries in the crash.
It was the second serious collision involving livestock on the Princes Highway west of Warrnambool within a fortnight, following a 100km/h incident near the Penshurst-Hamilton Road intersection on May 16.
The Koroit woman, who did not want to be named, said her Falcon station wagon was written off in the unavoidable impact.
“As soon as I saw them, I thought I was gone,” she told The Standard.
“There was just cows everywhere.”
The recovering woman said she wanted people to realise the possible consequences of not making containment of stock a priority.
Moyne Shire regulatory and emergency services co-ordinator John Brown said a gate had been left open on the livestock owner’s property by a third party, allowing 12 cows to wander onto the highway.
A $300 penalty notice was issued for the offence.
The council issued three notices calling for owners to confine their stock in May, among nine offences regarding loose animals that have warranted action in 2011.
The highway west of Warrnambool has seen some serious incidents involving stock on the road, including the death of father-of-four Peter Hollard at Tower Hill in April 2006.
Mr Brown said landowners and farmers needed to be vigilant to ensure the safety of motorists was not compromised.
“We would like to emphasis to all livestock owners to make sure your fences are in good condition and your gates are secure,” said.
sfowles@standard.fairfax.com.au
