First class rescue operation at Kettering station after swan hit by train

A swan got back on track at Kettering's station after a driver rescued it when it was hit by a freight train.

The bird, along with another which flew off, was first spotted on the main line just before 3.20pm on Friday afternoon (November 27) near Milton Ernest in nearby Bedfordshire.

After it was narrowly missed by a high-speed train it was left injured after it was run over by a freight train that was trundling along.

And a heroic train driver stepped up to rescue it - before bringing it on-board for a trip to Kettering's station where it was handed over to Little Irchester animal rescue charity Animals in Need.

Jim Filby, mobile operations manager for Network Rail, passed the swan to the animal care team.

He said: “It’s never nice to see any animals injured on the railway, so I’m really glad that we were able to work together to help this swan.

"It’s now in the safe hands of the team at Animals in Need who will give it all the love and care it needs.”

Annie Marriott from Animals in Need said: "Over the years we have had some unusual rescues but this one has to beat them all."

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