MORE than two dozen pigs have died after a lorry carrying about 200 of the animals overturned when it crashed into a bread wagon.

About 35 of the animals died or had to be put down following the accident, which happened on the A59, near its junction with York’s outer ring road this morning

Shortly before 10.30am a car, the livestock lorry and a bread lorry were all involved in a collision at Upper Poppleton, near the A1237 roundabout.

Police closed the road while the emergency services dealt with the incident and a rescue operation was undertaken to move the trapped pigs from the HGV to another lorry.

Animal experts also attended the incident to help fire crews with the animals.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: “There were 200 pigs in the lorry which overturned and sadly 35 of them died or were euthanised.

“Two vets attended the incident along with the RSPCA who oversaw the animals’ welfare.”

None of the drivers were believed to be seriously injured.

Diversions were put in place and drivers faced long delays with the major road closed. The road still remained closed at 4.30pm today.

Fire appliances from Acomb and York attended the scene, along with a heavy rescue unit from Tadcaster.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the force control room.