Swan causes 'obstruction' on major Sunderland road

It is perhaps one of the more unusual calls police have received about an obstruction in the road.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2018, 16:06 BST
Updated 27th Sep 2018, 20:32 BST
The young swan looks comfy in the central reservation.The young swan looks comfy in the central reservation.
The young swan looks comfy in the central reservation.

A case, indeed of the old bill and a young beak.

Officers were called out after a baby swan landed in busy Leechmere Road, Sunderland, near its junction with Tunstall Road, in fading light.

Bypassers ushered it away from the road.Bypassers ushered it away from the road.
Bypassers ushered it away from the road.

Appearing lost, it wandered across the dual carriageway - at one stage even making itself comfortable in the central reservation - with bystanders forced to step into the road to warn oncoming traffic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The onlookers eventually managed to usher the cygnet away from traffic until police arrived.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said on Thursday: “At 7.24pm yesterday, police received a report of a swan that was causing an obstruction on Leechmere Road, Sunderland.

“A young cygnet appeared lost and was repeatedly trying to get back on the road.

Police take a few particulars from the swan.Police take a few particulars from the swan.
Police take a few particulars from the swan.

“Officers attended and the cygnet, which had no sign of injury, was brought to safety. It was later released onto the water on Silksworth Lake.”

Contrary to popular belief, swans can take off from dry land although they need at least 30 yards to become airborne and the same again to avoid surrounding buildings.

Related topics:SunderlandSwanNorthumbria Police