Rescue for swan tangled in line

A terrified swan died after getting tangled up in fishing wire along a stretch of the River Severn.

A dramatic rescue bid was launched by wildlife experts in Kidderminster after a fisherman noticed the bird struggling.

Bishops Wood Swan Rescue were scrambled to the river bank in Upper Arley, on Thursday, where the swan had got caught close to a tree. Nick Lee, who runs the centre near Stourport-on-Severn, and his colleague Dave Neale arrived at the scene quickly and found the bird had already been injured.Its wing had been caught in the thin strip of wire and had got snagged on the tree leaving the frightened bird trapped.

Mr Lee had no choice but to go into the water himself in a bid to free the bird.

But despite managing to untangle it, the swan later died from shock.

Mr Lee, aged 56, has now appealed to all fisherman to ensure they have packed up all bits of line which could injure birds when they leave the riverbank.

"Most fishermen and women are very careful and take all their old lines and rubbish away with them," he said.

"We would appeal to the odd one or two who do not do this to ensure that in future any fishing line is cleared from trees and undergrowth."

Mr Lee said the trapped swan in this case had been discovered by a fisherman who had raised the alarm immediately.

He said it was very sad the bird had not survived long after being rescued.

"When we arrived the swan was really tangled up in the line and literally hanging from the tree by its wing," he said. "We were able to free it. However, I think that shock set in and the bird has since died."

Report by Lee Watton