- WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
- The pigs were too heavy to remove from the river, causing them to drown
Heartbreaking footage shows dozens of dead pigs floating in an icy river after the truck carrying them crashed and plunged into the water.
The incident reportedly occurred on February 1 on a street in Heze, east China's Shandong Province.
Disturbing images show several pigs struggling to tread water in the freezing river after the truck they were in collided with another arriving truck and overturned.
Many of the pigs were desperate for help, but their weight meant they were too heavy to be removed without machines.
Countless others escaped cold death as they reportedly made their way to slaughter.
Disturbing images show several pigs struggling to tread water in the freezing river after the truck they were in collided with another arriving truck and overturned
Many of the pigs were desperate for help, but their weight meant they were too heavy to be removed without machines
Countless others escaped cold death as they reportedly made their way to slaughter
Witnesses reported that the driver even tried to jump into the river to save the pigs, but this proved unsuccessful
The driver could no longer hold his weight and ultimately had to be rescued from the water with the help of an excavator
It is currently unclear if anyone else was injured in the accident, but no injuries have been reported
Witnesses reported that the driver even tried to jump into the river to save the pigs, but this proved unsuccessful.
The driver could no longer hold his weight and ultimately had to be rescued from the water with the help of an excavator.
It is currently unclear if anyone else was injured in the accident, but no injuries have been reported.
The driver later shared the footage on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, to remind others to be careful when driving in cold weather.
Many social media users couldn't help but sympathize with the driver.
Lu Houwen wrote: “How helpless the driver must be at this moment.” Who can understand what he felt at this moment?
User “dihydrogen monoxide” commented: “Who will cover the loss in something like this?”
Zhang Yan wrote: “I hope the driver is fine.” I feel sick looking at the pigs. It is expensive.'
How many people die in traffic accidents in China every year?
According to the WHO and Chinese media, there are more than 200,000 traffic deaths in China every year, with fatigue behind the wheel being the most common cause (file photo).
More than 200,000 people die each year on China's notoriously dangerous roads, according to a 2015 World Health Organization report.
Drowsy driving is the leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities in China, according to reports based on figures released by China's transportation authorities.
Every year in China, more than 90,000 people die in accidents caused by fatigued driving, and more than 20 percent of traffic accidents on China's highways are caused by fatigued driving, Jinan Transport Radio reported, citing sources at China's National Bureau of Investigation public safety.
The report said drivers are most likely to experience fatigue late at night, early in the morning and after lunch; and drivers with six to ten years of driving experience are most likely to nod off at the wheel.