Community
6 August, 2026
Rollover under investigation
INVESTIGATIONS are underway after a truck carrying 59 cattle rolled just outside of Mortlake in the early hours of the morning last week.
Sargeant Jason Barker of the Warrnambool Highway Patrol said the incident had occurred last Thursday on the stretch of the Hopkins Highway between Reichmans Lane and McRaes Lane.
“On Thursday, July 30, we attended a collision where a prime mover truck with two trailers had rolled over,” he said.
“There were approximately 59 cattle on board with the truck travelling on the Hopkins Highway, just south of the Mortlake township.
“The vehicle has left the roadway and tipped on its side, with a number of cattle having escaped the truck while a large amount were still inside the trailers.
“Police attended along with State Emergency Service, Fire Rescue Victoria and Ambulance Victoria representatives.
“The driver was able to self-extricate from the truck prior to us arriving, where he was assessed by paramedics prior to being taken to hospital for further observations.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed the driver had been transported to hospital in a stable condition.
“Ambulance Victoria responded to a collision in Mortlake around 6.25am on July 30,” the spokesperson said.
“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics assessed and treated one patient at the scene.
“A man in his 50s was transported by road ambulance to Warrnambool Hospital with an upper body injury in a stable condition.”
Sgt Barker said police have since begun the process of trying to piece together what circumstances had led to the incident.
“Police are going to have a look at the investigation and determine what was the cause of the accident, whether that’s speed, fatigue or what other circumstances may have led to the collision,” he said.
“Anyone who may have passed the accident or have footage of the truck prior as it made its way along the road is encouraged to get in touch with Warrnambool police.”
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