2 tiny ducklings have been pulled from a roadside drain in Alverstone after a nail-biting 7-hour rescue involving volunteers, villagers and drain specialists.
The race against time began at around 12:30 when reports came in of ducklings trapped beneath a drain in Alverstone Village, with a frantic mother duck circling above.
Volunteer Annie Hurley rushed to the scene by 13:00 to find an unknown number of ducklings had vanished down a deep shaft and into a narrow pipe running beneath the road.
Despite desperate attempts to reach them using nets and by lowering food and water, the terrified ducklings remained trapped – their faint cries echoing from underground.
A neighbour even pushed roofing felt down the pipe in a bid to give the struggling birds a way out, but as the hours ticked by, hope began to fade.
With no one else able to help, a passer-by stepped in and contacted Demon Drains Ltd – who agreed to attend free of charge.
By 18:00, drainage experts Stuart and Jonny arrived on scene, bringing specialist camera equipment to begin a painstaking search below ground.
At first, fears grew that it was too late.
But after forcing open a heavy, sealed manhole cover and climbing down into the filthy chamber, the team heard it – faint cheeping.
Footage revealed 2 ducklings still alive, alongside 2 that had tragically perished.
In a tense moment, Stuart entered the drain and carefully retrieved the soaked, freezing and exhausted survivors from the darkness below.
The emotional rescue sparked relief and celebration among those gathered, who had spent hours refusing to give up.
The ducklings – now named Stu and Jonny after their rescuers – were rushed to Skippers Sanctuary, where they are recovering well.
Annie Hurley hailed the efforts of everyone involved, with the dramatic ordeal highlighting the power of community spirit – and the determination to save 2 tiny lives against the odds.
Well done guys, great to see an happy ending for the
ducklings.
Well done Demon Drains.
Nice to know that there is still kindness in this world.
Well done Stu and Jonny and Annie.
Skippers are brilliant at what they do and ever so nice. Unlike the rude dismissive and very unhelpful other so called ‘bird rescue’