Northern Ireland’s M1 motorway has been closed in both directions following an incident involving an overturned lorry carrying approximately 40 cattle, causing major disruption to traffic between Belfast and Dungannon.
Emergency services including firefighters and specialist animal rescue teams are currently at the scene working to safely remove the cattle from the vehicle. Two veterinarians are also present to attend to the animals’ welfare as they are individually rescued.
The closure affects the motorway between junction 12 at the Birches in Portadown and junction 13 (Beatties junction) near the Black Island Road turn-off.
According to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, two emergency crews responded to the incident. “Following initial assessment and treatment at scene, one person was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital by ambulance,” a statement from the ambulance service confirmed.
Authorities expect the affected stretch of motorway to remain closed for several hours as rescue operations continue, likely causing significant traffic delays in the area.