“She was completely still” 😰
Young Swan Mistaken for Sandbag Rescued From Busy A1 Highway in the UK
On the bustling A1 highway — one of the UK’s busiest roads — it’s not uncommon to see scattered debris or construction materials along the shoulder. But last week, a few eagle-eyed drivers spotted something unusual among the typical roadside clutter: a white, feathered creature lying still beside the road.
To their surprise, it wasn’t a piece of plastic or a stray bag — it was a cygnet, a young swan, lying frozen in fear, yet miraculously still breathing.
Instead of driving by, these kindhearted drivers called The Waterfowl Sanctuary (TWS), whose team immediately rushed to the scene. When rescuer Graham Porter arrived, he almost overlooked the swan himself.
“I saw the white sandbags and thought it was one of these,” TWS shared on Facebook, “until an alarming double-take made me [realize] there was our friend.”
The little swan had been stranded there for at least an hour and a half, caught in the chaos of rush hour traffic. She lay completely still, traumatized and too afraid to move, while cars zoomed by at full speed.
Despite the danger, Porter braved the highway to reach her. Timing a gap in the traffic, he sprinted across lanes, gently pinned her against the curb with a rescue net, and carried her back to safety.
Back at TWS headquarters, a medical evaluation confirmed the best possible news: the young swan was uninjured, just shaken and exhausted. All she needed was some rest, comfort, and time to heal.
Now, she’s recovering beautifully in the sanctuary’s aptly named Duckingham Palace, surrounded by other rescued waterfowl.
“She is doing well and walking a little more each day,” Porter reported, clearly relieved.
Thanks to quick-thinking bystanders and the unwavering dedication of TWS, this sweet swan gets a second chance at life — and a future that’s a whole lot brighter than the side of a highway. 🦢💛