Cows gravely injured as cattle truck slams into Melbourne bridge

A cattle truck packed with cows has crashed into a Melbourne bridge with some animals suffering "excruciating injuries" and others dying, an animal rights group said.

The crash caused extensive transport delays as emergency services ensured all animals had been rounded up after the top of the cattle truck slammed into a rail bridge on Alexandra Avenue in South Yarra at 8.25pm on July 23.

Agriculture Victoria said approximately 22 out of 75 cows died in the crash or were euthanised at the scene.