Travis Tschumy was travelling about 1km behind the truck and saw it all happen.

He was one of the first people on the scene and stepped in to help save the cows.

“We had to just get the cows out the back and they had to jump, one other person climbed up to get the cows out of the top compartments.”

He says a Main Freight driver who was nearby used his truck to pull the second trailer of the cattle truck, with more cows in it, away from the fire.

The fire occurred on SH27 near Tatuanui, New Zealand. The highway was blocked following the incident and diversions were put in place via Kereone Rd and Cussen Rd.

Police say no other vehicles were involved and no people were injured.

Some of the cattle at the scene had to be put down by a vet.