31/12/2009 - Escapee herd of pigs close motorway
A herd of pigs have caused traffic chaos after they escaped from their lorry and ran onto a motorway.
The southbound M11 towards London was closed after 12 animals escaped from a HGV which crashed. Essex Fire and Rescue Service attended the collision.
The lorry was carrying 82 pigs altogether and emergency staff attempted to round them up as they were running free on the road.
A spokesman said that at 5.21am, the carriageway was closed while emergency crews tried to round up the animals and secure them in a makeshift pen.
An Essex Police spokesman said about 50 of the animals, which each weigh about 20st, were still trapped in the wreckage which is blocking two lanes. The runaway pigs are now grazing on the embankment.
"The southbound carriageway has been closed at Junction 8 and the road is likely to remain shut for around six hours while recovery work and repairs to the central reservation continues," said the spokesman.
"The northbound carriageway has also been closed and could remain shut for about two hours because of fears that the pigs could cross from the southbound lane and be a danger to road users."
He said the lorry driver received head and shoulder injuries in the collision and was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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