A morning commute on one of Britain's busiest motorways was brought to a complete halt by an unexpected and elegant intruder: a swan slowly wandering across four lanes of traffic.
Feathered Hazard Halts the M1
The unusual incident unfolded on the M1 near Northampton on the morning of November 19. National Highways' CCTV cameras captured the moment the large bird first appeared on the verge of the northbound carriageway before making its way into the path of mid-morning traffic. Drivers were forced to stop completely to avoid hitting the swan as it ambled around, creating a significant hazard.
The Rolling Block and Specialist Rescue
Traffic officer Simon Quigley implemented a rolling road block, safely bringing traffic to a stop for several minutes. This allowed his colleague, Adrian Woods, to approach the bird. Mr Woods, a seven-year veteran of National Highways, explained that this was the fourth swan rescue of his career.
He noted that swans can mistake wet roads or hazy carriageways for bodies of water, leading them to land. "It is a bit of a shock when they hit the ground," Mr Woods said, "so the swan was a bit confused and its ego bruised."
The officers used a specialist swan bag, which they carry in their vehicles, to safely capture the bird. The entire operation, from the initial sighting to clearing the scene, took around ten minutes.
A Happy Ending at the Lakeside
Once securely contained, the swan was transported to a small lake just off junction 16 of the motorway, where it was released at approximately 10.30am. Officials reported that the bird swam away seemingly unharmed and "happy as Larry" following its adventure. Traffic quickly returned to normal flow after the brief but dramatic interruption.
"We are trained how to deal with the situation and use the bags," said Mr Woods, reflecting on the successful outcome. "It was a happy ending all round."
