The M1 motorway has been closed both eastbound and westbound due to an overturned livestock lorry.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) have said they are currently dealing with 40 cattle, with two animal rescue teams in attendance.
David Doherty, Area Commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the driver of the lorry “is safe and well” and they are currently rescuing the animals trapped in the lorry.
The closure is in place from junction 12 at the Birches, Portadown, and junction 13, known as Beatties junction, near the Black Island Road turn-off.
Mr Doherty told BBC Radio Ulster’s The Nolan Show on Friday morning 30 firefighters were at the scene along with appliances from Dungannon, Portadown and Armagh.
“We have a rescue plan in place and we are off-loading those animals into another vehicle to transport them away safely, so it is a fairly challenging operation at the minute and unfortunately it means that both lanes of the motorway are currently closed and will be for several hours,” he said.
Mr Doherty said vets are at the scene to assess the animals welfare alongside the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).
The Police Service of Northern Ireland have said updates are to follow in due course.
