Firefighters rescue 11 stuck ducklings from Braintree drain

Firefighters were called to Bocking End today, June 21, at 9.03am after a member of the public saw a mother duck in a flap.

A crew from Braintree were "quack" to respond, and rescued 11 ducklings.

Heroes - firefighters in the process of rescuing the ducks (Image: ECFRS)

Crew manager Paul Mayes said: "We were able to remove the storm drain cover and the ducklings were 2ft or 3ft down.

Stuck - the ducklings were stuck in a drain (Image: ECFRS)

"We scooped out nine of the ducklings with a bucket but a couple of them went down a separate pipe.

"They were frightened and didn't want to come out.

Safe - the ducklings cuddling in a bucket after the rescue (Image: ECFRS)

"However, we went back in the afternoon and managed to catch them using a small fishing net.

"We're delighted to be able to reunite them with their mother."

Washing - two of the rescued ducklings (Image: ECFRS)

It is the second duckling rescue to happen in the last couple of months, with police officers called to save three ducklings who were trapped down a drain in the High Garrett and Gosfield area in April.