‘Like a war zone’: Eyewitness recalls heartbreaking cattle truck fire on Bruxner Highway

An eyewitness has described a “war zone” scene after a cattle truck fire on the Bruxner Highway near Wollongbar killed multiple animals and brought traffic to a standstill.

The fire broke out on the Bruxner Highway near Wollongbar about 11.55am on May 14, near the NSW Department of Primary Industries site, prompting an emergency response from Fire and Rescue NSW, police, Transport for NSW and heavy vehicle recovery crews.

Eyewitness Adam Wijeyekoon, who was travelling through the area shortly after the truck initially pulled over, said the incident unfolded within minutes.

“I noticed a truck pulling over … and I could see plastic melting and dripping from the rear,” he said.

“From a small sort of bonfire type thing in the corner, the next thing the whole back of the thing was going. It went so quick.

“Tyres were exploding off their rims … it was almost like a war zone, with big black smoke just going up.

“Cars were coming through the other side and I was just thinking, it’ll take someone out.”

Wijeyekoon said he pulled over to help manage traffic as the situation escalated, placing warning equipment on the roadway to alert approaching drivers.

He said his immediate concern was the safety of the driver and the cattle on board.

“Hearing the cows bellowing in pain … it was just really heartbreaking,” Wijeyekoon said.

“The driver did all he could, he jumped up to the top level to try and help the cattle that were up there.”

Wijeyekoon said he believed the blaze may have originated in the truck’s braking system.

“I think it was a brake fire … sometimes truck brakes get locked on a little bit and it caught fire and then spread,” he said.

Emergency services took control of the scene, moving bystanders back as the fire intensified and securing the surrounding area.

Traffic diversions remained in place while crews worked to extinguish the blaze and clear the wreckage.

Wijeyekoon said a brief downpour helped prevent the fire from spreading further.

“If it wasn’t for that, it would have been much worse,” he said.

The cause of the fire will be investigated.