Rescue crews in Northern Ireland were called to the scene of a crash this morning, where a livestock lorry carrying 42 bulls had overturned.

The incident occurred around 6.30am on the Cavan road near Newtownbutler.

Following a call to the regional control centre, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) dispatched crews from Lisnaskea and Enniskillen, along with Omagh’s specialist large animal rescue team.

The cab of the lorry from which the driver managed to escape without serious injuries. \ NIFRS West

Usually, fire rescue crews are mobilised to road traffic collisions when casualties are trapped.

However, in this case, the driver of the lorry managed to rescue themselves and was treated at the scene by an ambulance, having received no serious injuries.

Crews instead used cutting equipment to rescue the bulls from the lorry.

Along with the assistance of a local vet, crews successfully rescued 40 of the bulls from the lorry.

Unfortunately, two animals died during the impact of the crash.

Crews work to open the rear of the overturned lorry in order to rescue the animals. \ NIFRS West

A bull is rescued by the crews, assisted by a local vet. \ NIFRS West

An NIFRS spokesperson said: “This was a particularly hazardous incident for our personnel to resolve, given the unpredictability, size and large number of the livestock involved, especially when distressed.

"We are happy to report that none of our crews were injured whilst performing rescue operations.”

The bulls in a nearby field following the rescue operation. \ NIFRS West