Stock truck overturns near Dannevirke

Locals rallied together after a stock truck carrying cattle overturned just south of Dannevirke yesterday.

Trevor Moore, who owns a lifestyle block nearby, was driving along State Highway 2 near the golf club when he spotted the crash.

"I saw the truck on its side so stopped to help get the cows out and other local farmers all came and helped too so there was a good response there."

Mr Moore said all but one cow was able to get out of the overturned vehicle and they were all then checked by a vet.

"It looked like there were about 60 cows in the trailer but it didn't look like any were injured from what I could see, which was good as no one likes to see animals hurt."

The Woodley's Transport truck, which was understood to be carrying Orari Gorge Station stock from South Canterbury, had passed through Fielding before it overturned 5km south of Dannevirke.

Police received the call about the crash at about 12.42pm and had reports of cows on the road while a trailer on its side was blocking the southbound lane.

A police spokesman said there were no injuries but a crane had to be used to remove the trailer from the road.

"The vehicle was removed at about 2.51pm and the cattle were put in a local paddock and checked over by a local vet."