Driver saves cattle from burning

A privately owned and operated road train carrying a full load of cattle was completely destroyed when it burst into flames on South Coast Highway last Thursday.

Members of the Jerramungup Bushfire Brigade and Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe police responded to the blaze, which is believed to have sparked when the truck’s turbine combusted near Fitzgerald about 9am.

Hopetoun officer-in-charge Sergeant Colin Townsend said the driver’s level-headedness ensured nobody was injured and his load of cattle emerged unscathed.

“He managed to pull up and unhitch his trailers before he rolled the truck forward so the fire was away from the livestock,” Sgt Townsend said.

After the blaze was extinguished a bobcat worked to remove what was left of the Kenworth while another prime mover was called in to take away the trailers full of cattle.

The prime mover was estimated to be worth between $180,000-$200,000.

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