Press "Enter" to skip to content

Huntington Beach firefighters save seven ducklings from 30-foot deep storm drain

Huntington Beach firefighters can add duck rescuers to their resumes.

Not just any ducks. Cute, fuzzy, tiny baby ducks stuck in a storm drain.

of

Expand

Firefighters going down Gothard Street were flagged down by bystanders watching ducks crossing the street.

They soon found seven additional ducklings were stuck in a nearby storm drain.

“You’re thinking of a storm drain, you can put your arm down or reach it. It ended up being 30 feet down below ground level,” Huntington Beach Fire Department spokesman Eric Blaska said.

After unsuccessful attempts to corral the babies by the firefighters on scene, the Urban Search & Rescue team was called to gear up and go down into the drain to scoop the ducklings to safety.

The team is trained in technical rescues, confined space rescues and trench rescues. With little rain recently, water in the storm drain was only about shin deep, so there were no rushing water dangers, Blaska said.

They brought a little box with a blanket down with them to use in bringing out the babies.

“They were super cute little fuzzy babies and black bills. They sit in the palm of your hand. I wanted to take them home, but they wouldn’t let me,” Blaska joked.

The ducklings were picked up by the city’s animal control.

So what’s better: rescuing ducks in storm drains or cats in trees?

“I like the ducks better because they don’t attack like cats,” Blaska said with a laugh.


Source: Orange County Register

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *