Freak cycling accident at edge of Alexandra Dock had unhappy outcome for Grimsby gull's valiant rescuers

Man on a mission - the waterborne quest for the stricken gull

A JUVENILE herring gull had to be put down  following a freak accident alongside Grimsby's Alexandra Dock.

The gull had been seriously injured after flying into the front wheel spokes of a moving pedal cycle. 

The cyclist, who was not reported to have been hurt, was sufficiently kind-hearted and caring  to alert Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.

CWR reports what happened thus: 

"Volunteers attended  Alexandra Dock after a gull was unfortunately struck by a cyclist as it flew across. 

"The cyclist  called our rescue, and waited for help. 

"On arrival, our volunteers spotted the bird in the dock near the sunken, ex-fishing vessel, Esther, but out of reach from the quayside. 

"We requested further assistance from our water rescue-trained volunteers and deployed our water rescue trailer to the dock. 

"Our water raft, donated by Ørsted, was inflated and sent over to the Esther, which quickly resulted in retrieval of the gull."

Alas, the rescue was to no avail. 

Continues CWR: "The severity of the injuries were immediately apparent, with the bird struggling even  to stand.

"What is more, it had a broken wing, such that its bones were exposed. 

"The bird was brought back to the slipway and transported as an emergencyn to Grimsby Blue Cross animal hospital. 

"Vets assessed the bird, but unfortunately, in this case, the  only option was to end  the immense suffering of the bird. Rehabilitation would not have been possible." 

The CWR report ends: "We want to emphasise that the cyclist had been in no way to blame.

"The collision was sudden, unexpected and accidental - thereafter, everything possible was done to get assistance.

"Thank you to the volunteers who attended and did what they could for the bird"  

The last moments of the herring gull after its collision with a moving cycle

* Photographs: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue