Tailbacks on motorway caused by tractor-driving dog

Traffic tailbacks on a busy stretch of the M74 motorway at Abington, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, at about 8:15 on Wednesday morning were "due to a dog taking control of a tractor".





A sheepdog called Don, owned by farmer Tom Hamilton, had leaned on the controls of his utility vehicle, taking it on to the road. Police and Mr Hamilton later recovered Don, who was unhurt, and the vehicle, from the central reservation. Mr Hamilton said that he was out on his off road pick up checking lambs in a field above the M74 near Abington.





As always he was accompanied by his Collie sheepdog Don, who was sitting beside him in the passenger seat. While Mr Hamilton was examining a lamb he turned round to see the Gator utility vehicle crashing through the fence and heading down an embankment on to the northbound lane of the M74 with Don still sitting in it.





The vehicle stopped after hitting the central barrier, smashing the windscreen. Mr Hamilton said he feared that he had not pulled the handbrake properly and was extremely relieved that no drivers were hurt. The farmer was also relieved that Don escaped with little more than a fright.

There's a news video here.