Duckling rescued after falling down drain in Shrewsbury

A concerned member of the public called police yesterday afternoon to report that a duckling had fallen down a drain on Holyhead Road.

Upon arrival, officers found that the duckling had gone. In an attempt to draw the baby animal back into sight, officers played duck sounds from YouTube down the drain.

By chance, a Shropshire Council van was passing by and came to the officers' aid. They removed manhole covers and found out which way the drains ran.

A local animal collection officer from the RSPCA quickly arrived on the scene and dived down the manhole to continue the search for the duckling.

Just as all hope appeared lost, a faint 'quack' was heard echoing in the drains.

The drains were gently flushed and the duckling saved. It is now on its way to a rescue centre in Much Wenlock.

PC Christopher Baldwin, who attended the scene together with colleague PC Charlotte Sullivan said: "The duckling was recovered quite a distance along from where he or she was last seen.

"We had all gotten to the point of thinking the worst and giving up when thankfully we heard it respond! This was a real team effort and everyone should be really proud of themselves. We are so happy to have been able to rescue the duckling."