The accident happened near the town of Abtswind, between Würzburg and Nuremberg in northern Bavaria. The driver is believed to have become unwell behind the wheel. Traffic had to deflect during road works. The truck hit a concrete barrier and ended up on its side.
Most of the pigs were killed in the accident itself, about 150 were killed by butchers to put them out of their misery after being checked by vets. The fire brigade has cooled the other pigs with extinguishing water.