The semi-trailer rolled on the Coolbaggie road about three kilometres from Eumungerie and threw most of the 30 head of cattle on board onto the road.

Police said some of the cattle escaped into the bush.

According to police, the driver was travelling to Tamworth with a load of stock when he lost control of the vehicle on a sharp bend near the Coolbaggie Creek about 4pm yesterday.

The semi-trailer tipped onto its side and, miraculously, the driver escaped major injury and was treated at the scene for a grazed arm.

A Hazmat team from Dubbo was called to mop up a large amount of diesel that spilled onto the road and into the Coolbaggie Creek.

“We are setting up a boom across the water to skim the diesel out of the creek, this will take a fair bit of time,” senior firefighter Phil Barrett said.

The Coolbaggie road was closed for several hours as emergency services worked into the night to clear the scene.

Australian Road Train Association chief executive Duncan Bremner said the

accident highlighted the risks truck drivers were faced with daily.

“It shows how careful you have to be on back roads and thank goodness the driver is okay,” Mr Bremner said.

“This is the reality of a truckie’s life.

“Every day they are faced with challenges,” he added.

belinda.galloway@ruralpress.com