A wounded swan was forced to be pulled from the tracks by a London train station after making its way to it yesterday. It caused delays of hours.
Commuters heading home during rush hour had their journeys disrupted as the swan blocked two trains on the tracks at South Acton station.
Nicola Cilliers (43), filmed the intruder. She and Steve Fraser spotted it at 5.30pm, from her window overlooking the station.
Ms Cilliers called the RSPCA, while Transport for London suspended the line partially. Cilliers also posted frequent updates on Twitter about the rescue mission that took place over four hours.
Nicola Cilliers, 43, filmed the feathered intruder after she and her partner Steve Fraser spotted the bird at around 5.30pm from the window of her flat overlooking the station
Transport for London was forced to suspend part of the line, while railway workers attempted to rescue the bird from the tracks.
Ms. Cilliers explained that while it seemed at first funny to see a swan sitting on tracks, holding up two trains and then a train, it soon became concern for her welfare.
“We went to the bottom of the track and investigated after he had been shooed from them by Network Rail engineers.
“The engineer and an additional man were with us to protect the Swan while we tried to call several charities, but without success.
“The London Wildlife Protection actually connected me with the fire brigade and I received a call from Ann, a lovely volunteer swan rescuer, who was able come out to take him.
“No one else could come out, and we would be totally lost without the London Wildlife Protection because we couldn’t have left him alone.”
The final blog post by Ms. Cillier at 10.43pm was about the ordeal of the swan. It showed that the bird’s feathers were’safe’ and the London Wildlife Protection is taking care.
She said: ‘It’s always good to see a happy ending.’
Ms. Cilliers explained that while it initially seemed funny for us to observe a swan sitting on the tracks and holding up trains, it became more concerning for her welfare.
Adam Bolf, a passenger on the train had posted a photo of the animal between two lines to Facebook. A TfL engineer tried to get it away while the train passed.
James Briddon replied, “Should beak less careful where it wanders.” Jordan Graham replied, “Swan way mate.” Shannon Johnson stated, “Something is a fowl.”
Kerrie Louise said, ‘Look at his, just swanning, Acton fool. Ewa Gee stated: ‘I wish swannie got it home safely, a la Network Rail slogan.
Linda Christian-Edwards stated: “Poor child.” Julie Crowley responded: “Poor child, I hope it wasn’t hurt and that it was saved by the right people.”
London Wildlife Protection took care of the rescue and caring for the swan yesterday at approximately 10.40pm
Adam Bolf (passenger) shared a post on Facebook showing the animal caught between the tracks while TfL engineers attempted to move it. The train was still waiting to pass.
Rory O’Neil is TfL’s General Manager, London Overground. He said that ‘We collaborated with Network Rail yesterday to save a swan injured on South Acton’s tracks.
London Overground services were temporarily suspended until the rescue of the swan. London Wildlife Protection treated the swan, and it is now fully recovered.
MailOnline reached out to Network Rail for comments.
Commenters on Facebook joked about last night’s swan ordeal