Two Catlins men escaped major injury when a motorcycle and then a four-wheel-drive vehicle hit cows, one of which died, on the Owaka Highway on Monday night.
Constable Andy Denny, of Balclutha, said a 19-year-old Catlins man was riding a Yamaha YZF 150cc motorbike towards Owaka when he spotted cows on the road.
He braked and skid several metres, before hitting one of the cows. The motorbike was extensively damaged and the 19-year-old sustained minor injuries.
Const Denny said the motorcyclist then heard a vehicle coming towards him, and ran off to avoid getting hit.
The driver of a Nissan Safari 4WD braked when he spotted the herd of cows, and his vehicle also skidded for several metres before hitting two cows.
The 41-year-old man was uninjured, but his 4WD was also extensively damaged.
One cow died at the scene, another was injured, but the remaining herd of about 30 were ''OK'', Const Denny said.
The incident happened at 10.30pm about 10km from Balclutha.
The weather was ''quite misty'' at the time.
Const Denny reminded farmers to ensure gates were closed and stock secured.
He added motorists should drive to the conditions.
