Motorway closed as rescue operation begins to free 40 cows trapped in overturned lorry

An image from the scene shows the livestock lorry lying on its side on Friday 16 May - (Jonny McCoy)

Emergency services are working to free cattle trapped inside an overturned livestock lorry on the M1 motorway near Lurgan, Co Armagh. The incident, involving approximately 40 cows, occurred Friday morning and has led to the closure of the motorway in both directions.

The M1 has been closed in both directions while the operation is underway, and will remain so for “several hours.”