Police arrest two activists at scene of distressing cattle truck crash

Two people have been arrested and are set to be charged with hindering police at the scene of a cattle truck crash south east of Melbourne.

The B-double rolled at the intersection of Koo Wee Rup Road and Manks Road at Koo Wee Rup, about 7.30am yesterday.

Several animals had to be euthanised after being injured or stressed by the crash.

Footage that emerged online shows the arrest of animal activist Leah Doellinger, 28, who claims a heavy-handed police officer pushed her to the ground, handcuffed her and sat on her back.

The video shows the activists approaching one of the animals before her arrest, and a man's voice can be heard telling the group the animal had been euthanised.

"We saw a cow down about 400 metres from the truck roll over. I got out of the car and walked over", Ms Doellinger said.  

"She had been shot but she was still breathing, her heart beating and her legs moving."

A man in blue coveralls can be heard repeatedly asking Ms Doellinger to vacate the area and blocks her from touching the cow, before the police officer arrives.

"I knelt down beside her crying and told her I was sorry."

Ms Doelinger then says the officer grabbed her, threw her to the ground, handcuffed her and sat on her back. 

"I was dragged to the side of the road handcuffed with my dress ripped open and my bra and breasts revealed to the five police officers, farmers and the passing by traffic."

Victoria Police earlier said several animals were being euthanised with assistance from the Department of Agriculture.

"The remaining cattle are being herded into nearby paddocks and the recovery operation is expected to take several hours," police said.

The 42-year-old Warrnambool woman who was driving the truck was the only person in the vehicle and is not believed to be injured, police said.

The cause of the collision is being investigated.