A young swan is guided to safety beside a busy Newcastle road as police attend the scene
A young swan has had a lucky escape after finding itself beside a busy Newcastle road, prompting an unusual encounter involving police officers and concerned members of the public.
Footage shared with the Great Park Gazette captures the unexpected sight of a young swan wandering along the pavement beside a busy road, believed to be close to Newcastle's Central Motorway (A167(M)).
The bird, identifiable by its greyish-brown feathers, appears remarkably calm despite being just metres away from passing cars, buses and heavy goods vehicles.
In the video, a marked police car can be seen with its blue lights flashing as officers and members of the public keep a watchful eye on the feathered visitor.
Road signs visible in the footage suggest the incident took place near the Central Motorway.
Thankfully, the story has a happy ending.
The Great Park Gazette understands that the young swan has since been safely returned to its home and is now safe and sound.
While it remains unclear how the bird came to find itself alongside such a busy stretch of road, its unexpected appearance certainly made for an unusual sight for passing motorists.
Swans are a familiar sight around Newcastle's lakes, ponds and waterways, but finding one so close to a major road is considerably less common.
The incident also highlights the potential dangers wildlife can face when straying into busy urban environments.
Fortunately, on this occasion, the young swan's adventure ended safely, thanks to those who helped look out for it.
Watch the videos below to see the unusual roadside encounter and the swan’s return home.
