**Farmers Rally to Rescue Cattle After Dramatic Trailer Crash on A55**
Emergency services were called to a major incident on the A55 in North Wales after a livestock trailer overturned, sparking a dramatic rescue mission involving farmers, police and veterinary staff. The accident, which occurred on Monday morning between junctions 22 and 23 at Old Colwyn, led to both eastbound lanes of the carriageway being closed for several hours.
Authorities reported that the driver, an Anglesey farmer, escaped with only minor injuries. The real concern rapidly became the fate of his livestock—three beef cattle—after their trailer flipped and crashed through roadside barriers. The trailer’s roof was seen to have partly caved in, but, almost miraculously, all the animals survived the ordeal without serious harm.
With police marksmen on standby over fears the agitated cattle might escape into oncoming traffic, swift action was required. A local vet and multiple farmers responded to emergency calls in a coordinated effort to safely contain and recover the cattle. Elwyn Evans from Anglesey and Michael Jones from Bangor were among the first on the scene, driving livestock trailers with a police escort to help move the animals.
Describing the scene, Michael Jones expressed astonishment at the extent of the damage. “We’d seen a photo of the site beforehand and it looked pretty terrible. When we arrived, it was even worse than expected. The farmer himself was visibly shocked but, thankfully, largely unharmed,” he said.
According to eyewitness accounts, the driver recounted feeling the trailer begin to sway, apparently because the cattle inside were shifting their weight. Moments later, the pick-up jack-knifed, causing both the vehicle and the trailer to overturn. “It was remarkable that he walked away—he’s very lucky to be alive,” Elwyn Evans remarked.
The emergency operation became a collective community effort as more farmers arrived to assist. In total, six others brought two additional empty trailers to help pen the cattle, creating a secure enclosure to prevent the animals from escaping or becoming further distressed. By this time, all three cattle—two bulls and a heifer—had managed to right themselves inside the damaged trailer and were assessed on-site by the veterinarian.
The vet reportedly advised police to let the farmers take charge of the situation, given their experience in handling livestock under stressful conditions. This decision helped mitigate the risk of the cattle fleeing into traffic, which could have worsened the already dangerous situation. “The police armed unit was understandably concerned about the hazard posed by loose, stressed cattle on a busy dual carriageway,” said Jones.
Once the animals were safely transferred into the waiting trailers, the damaged vehicle was removed from the scene. The rescue mission, aided by traffic police, fire and rescue teams, and vehicle recovery workers, ultimately ensured a positive outcome for both the driver and the animals involved.
The closure of the eastbound A55 lasted around four hours, with diversions adding substantial travel time for motorists. Some drivers reported delays of over an hour as the authorities worked to clear the carriageway. North Wales Police confirmed the timeline, stating the road was fully reopened in the early afternoon.
A spokesperson for North Wales Police emphasised the invaluable support of the farming community, noting that their rapid response helped minimise the disruption. “The road closure was unfortunately necessary for everyone’s safety, but thanks to those who rallied to assist, we were able to resolve the incident far more efficiently,” they said.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges faced by rural communities and emergency services alike. The combination of local expertise, swift decision-making and cooperation proved crucial in averting tragedy and ensuring the welfare of both people and animals.