Cows fall from trailer onto Maine Turnpike after door unlatches, officials say

Several cows were injured this week when they fell out of an improperly secured trailer while traveling on the Maine Turnpike, officials said. 

Maine State Police said troopers responded to the crash around 11:30 a.m. on Monday in Lewiston. The initial investigation indicates that the doors of the cattle trailer, which was attached to a pickup truck, were not properly secured, causing them to unlatch on the highway. 

The doors opening resulted in three animals falling from the back of the trailer onto the roadway and one cow running from the container once the vehicle stopped. 

According to police, one cow landed in the passing lane and broke its leg, while two others sustained road rash and were found on the shoulder of the road by police. 

The fourth ran into the woods nearby. 

“Troopers secured one of the cows by tying it to the back of his cruiser, using a buddy system to help calm the other animals and prevent further movement,” police said. 

As a result of the crash, one lane was temporarily shut down as the driver of the pickup, 39-year-old Dustin Bubar of Stetson, Maine, worked to reload the animals into the trailer. Police said Bubar was cited for unsecured load on a vehicle. 

Police said animal control officers from Lewiston as well as passersby assisted in the incident. 

The crash remains under investigation, according to police.