Cows cause major disruption on Jakarta–Cikampek Toll Road after falling from truck

A viral video circulating on social media captured an unusual traffic incident on the Jakarta–Cikampek Toll Road, where two cows were seen sprinting along Km 58+700A on 18 November 2025 at 07:29 local time.

According to reports, the 500-kilogram animals caused traffic to slow to a halt as they wandered across multiple lanes. Local police stated that both cows had fallen out of a transport truck following a traffic incident.

Footage from the scene showed officers from the Cikampek Highway Patrol attempting to catch the animals. The chase spread across several lanes, adding to the congestion on the busy stretch of road.

AKP Sandy Titah Nugraha, head of the Cikampek Highway Patrol Unit, explained to local media that the incident began when the truck driver swerved to avoid a vehicle that allegedly braked abruptly without warning.

Sandy said the driver moved left to avoid the sudden stop, but a motorcycle behind failed to maintain distance. This forced the truck to swerve back to the right, scraping another vehicle in the process.

According to Sandy, the impact caused the rear door of the truck to swing open, allowing both cows to fall out and run freely along the toll road.

The situation escalated as officers tried to round up the animals. Sandy said the cows became increasingly aggressive, likely due to stress and the chaotic environment around them.

One cow entered the KM 57A rest area, where it chased motorists. Sandy said the animal had to be slaughtered on site because it posed a danger to people nearby.

The second cow remained on the main carriageway. Officers eventually subdued it and moved it to the shoulder of the road to prevent further disruption.

Sandy confirmed that one cow had been neutralised in the KM 57A rest area, while the other was captured alive on the main lane before being secured.

Authorities did not report any human injuries. However, the incident caused significant delays for morning commuters travelling along the major toll corridor linking Jakarta and Cikampek.

The highway patrol said they are reviewing the incident to determine whether additional safety requirements may be needed for livestock transport vehicles. They also noted that investigations into the unidentified vehicle that braked abruptly remain ongoing.