FIREFIGHTERS from Launceston worked in dangerous and difficult conditions to free 11 terrified cattle from a lorry after it went out of control and left the road at Two Bridges on the A30 dual carriageway.

Four other animals were already dead when the fire crews from Launceston reached the scene on Thursday.

The crews first used crash rescue equipment to free the lorry driver, who was taken to hospital to be checked over.

'VERY TRICKY'

Station Officer Gary Chapman, from Laun­ceston, said: "The lorry left the carriageway and ended up some way off the road on its side.

"We used crash rescue equipment to rescue the 11 cattle which had survived but it was a very tricky and dangerous operation.

"A lot of work was involved to release the cattle, which were in a very small space and the crews had to take it very carefully. Local farmers helped out the crew."

The animals were checked over by a veterinary surgeon who was called and appeared to be in a reasonable condition.