Pile-up as cow strays on motorway
An escaped cow caused a five-car pile-up when it strayed on to a major motorway in West Lothian. Motorists and passengers escaped with minor injuries after the animal wandered onto the eastbound carriageway of the M9 near Winchburgh.
As the first vehicle dodged the lost cow, it collided with another car - starting a five-car crash. Two fire engines were called to the scene at about 2130 BST on Tuesday. The cow died at the scene. Sgt David Gray, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "The people had a pretty lucky escape. Unfortunately the animal did not."
This just goes to show what we all know and should repeat to ourselves when we get in the car: Always expect the unexpected.
Cows are reasonably large and slow moving objects (as a rule they don't suddenly materialise in your lane), so the fact this accident caused a five car pile up probably goes to highlight something we all know: drivers drive far too close on motorways and do not look far enough ahead.
