Firefighter Steve Halfacre, from Marlow Fire Station, is pictured carrying the swan to safety

9 January 2009

Firefighters rescued a swan yesterday after a passer-by was concerned for its safety.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service received the call at 5.01pm and arrived at the River Wye in Wycombe Rye, High Wycombe, to find the swan in some difficulty.

Station Manager John Bull, who also attended, said: “In several places the river passes through tunnels. The entrance to this tunnel is protected by railings but two had been removed leaving an opening which the swan had, at some time, passed through.

“Due to the design of the tunnel this is one of the faster flowing sections of the Wye and the swan was unable to swim against the current and negotiate the opening.”

Firefighters used dry suits, specialist harnesses and rescue lines to reach the swan.

Using scraps of bread, the woman who called 999 managed to coax the swan towards Firefighter Steve Halfacre, who had waded to the railings. Steve was able to steer it to the opening, take hold of the swan and carry it to dry land.

The swan was passed to the woman who, with the assistance of another firefighter, carried the bird on to Wycombe Rye where it was successfully released.