Sheep killed as lorry overturns on major Welsh A-road
The lorry overturned on the A489[1] between Churchstoke[2] in Powys and Lydham shortly before 3pm, occurring near the Daisy Bank Touring Caravan Park, right on the Powys-Shropshire border, on a road known as Owls Lane. Dyfed Powys Police reported on Twitter that the road was closed, while West Mercia Police said on its Bishop's Castle[3] and Clun Police Facebook page on Tuesday evening that the vehicle had been carrying around 450 sheep. 
"Officers from Bishop's Castle Safer Neighbourhood Team attended a road traffic collision on the A489 involving a lorry carrying around 450 sheep," police said. "The vehicle had tipped onto its side, leaving the driver trapped. Bishop's Castle Fire Station extracted the driver and handed him over to the ambulance service and Helimed.
"After being assessed at the scene, he was taken to hospital for precautionary checks. "A specialist team from Shropshire Fire and Rescue, along with local farmers and vets, worked to recover the livestock. "Many sheep were saved, though sadly a significant number were lost."
The driver was extricated from the vehicle, and was taken by ambulance to hospital for precautionary checks. Clun Fire Station said in a Facebook post: "At 2.47pm our crews were mobilised to assist at this incident along with our colleagues from Bishop's Castle and Amber Watch Wellington. "Wishing the driver a speedy recovery."
One commenter online said the incident is the latest in a series of accidents on Owls Lane. "There have been multiple incidents along the Owls Lane section between the A488 junction and the Heblands Bank turn in the past five years, usually about three each year and mostly involving HGVs, LGVs, vans and motorhomes/caravans," they said. "It is not fit for use by such vehicles.
It either needs a major rewidening, or weight limits and/or speed restrictions. "The parapet of Roveries Bridge gets knocked down at least once every year, and one vehicle ended up upside down in the river there last year." Traffic and travel information provider Inrix said the road remained closed as of 11pm last night, and there has been no official confirmation of it reopening.
Google Maps still shows significant delays in the area.
Dyfed Powys Police has also been contacted for comment.
References
- ^ A489 (www.countytimes.co.uk)
- ^ Churchstoke (www.countytimes.co.uk)
- ^ Bishop's Castle (www.countytimes.co.uk)