Giraffe dies after colliding with motorway bridge

The giraffe, which was being transported in a trailer, has died after hitting its head on a low motorway bridge.

17:08 01 August 2014

A giraffe, which is being transported in a trailer on the back of a truck, has died after it hit its head on a motorway bridge. The bizarre scene was captured by several witnesses who described the accident in South Africa as “shocking” and “sad.”

Two giraffes were clearly visible as their heads stuck out of the top of the trailer being pulled by a truck just prior to the incident.

Rick Allan from the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that the vet who examined the animals confirmed that one died due to “severe head trauma.” The second giraffe was taken to safety.

He added: "We are continuing our investigation with the view to possibly lay criminal charges against those responsible.”

One witness, Pabi Moloi told Mashable: "My cousin and I were driving in Pretoria on a busy highway when I spotted a pair of giraffes in the back of a truck.

"I whipped out my phone to take pictures of this, since it isn't a very common thing to see in the city.

"As I was getting shots the truck went under a bridge and suddenly one of the giraffes hit its head hard on the concrete.

"The sound was so loud that my cousin, who was driving, asked me if there was someone shooting because she thought she'd heard a gunshot!

"That is how loud the impact was from the animal's head smashing into the overhead bridge.”