Police kill maimed cows after two cars crash into herd near Palmerston North

About 10 cows have been killed with police euthanising badly injured livestock after two cars ploughed into a herd that escaped on to a North Island highway.

The collision happened about 8.30pm on Napier Rd, State Highway 3, near Ashhurst outside Palmerston North.

“The crash involved a herd of cows on the road, and two vehicles – one coming from Ashhurst and one from Palmerston North,” a police spokesperson said.

A “small number” of cows were significantly maimed by the crash, leaving police with no option but to euthanise them at the scene.

Ending the lives of the badly injured livestock was the “most humane option available at the time”, a police spokeswoman said.

The escaped cattle were then moved off the highway and into nearby paddocks by police with the help of local farmers.

The specific number of cows involved in the carnage could not be established. Police initially said around 20 cows had died but a spokesperson later revised it to 10.

The driver of one of the vehicles suffered moderate injuries.

“Both lanes were blocked and diversions were put in place while the road was cleared,” said the spokesperson.

“At this stage, there’s no indication that charges would be likely.”