Donald doesn’t duck out of rescue

From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Tuesday 28th Aug 2007.

FIREFIGHTERS thought the world had gone quackers when a crew member named Donald and a duck were caught up in a water rescue.

The female mallard was spotted struggling in the canal next to Altham industrial estate while Hyndburn firefighters were carrying out a drill exercise on the bank.

The kind-hearted crew were touched by its plight and decided to carry out a rescue attempt.

Firemen Donald Brady and Paul Reid were dispatched into the canal but discovered the bird had become tangled in discarded fishing line.

The duck was then taken to the RSPCA centre in Altham.

Crew manager John Webster said: "People joke about us rescuing cats from trees - which isn't something we actually do - but we couldn't just leave the duck there.

"There were some forms to fill out at the centre and it was only then we realised that it was Donald rescuing a duck and a Reid in the water."

He added: "We have a firefighter called Mickey too - so maybe we can find a mouse for him to rescue."

Firefighter Donald Brady said: "The duck was distressed when we got it out because it had fishing hooks stuck in its beak and wing.

"I have had some stick off the lads since. It was quite a coincidence!"

The mallard was transferred to the Mearley veterinary practice, Kenyon Street, Accrington, where it had to undergo a short operation to remove the hooks. It was eventually take to a wildlife sanctuary.

An RSPCA spokesman said: "Fishing line and hooks can cause problems to wildlife if they aren't disposed of properly. We would ask people to take the items home and then dispose of them responsibly."

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