Firefighters called in for unusual rescue mission
WHILE they're normally called to fight blazes and help with car crashes, Stanthorpe firefighters were tasked to an unusual rescue mission this morning.
Shoppers called for help about 10am after noticing a magpie had become stuck inside the towering Woolworths sign.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Warwick station officer Dennis Burton said the rescue was quite tricky, given the precarious position the magpie had flown itself into.
Firefighters tried several different methods of retrieval.
"Being a firefighter is all about having options," Mr Burton said.
"You move on to plan B and C. As it was, plan C enabled us to get closer and get the bird safely."
Plan C involved crews using a 6m ladder to make their way to the magpie through the inside of the sign itself.
"We made sure that it was a timely rescue in order to reduce the stress for the bird as much as possible," Mr Burton said.
The bird had been hanging by its neck for some time before firefighters arrived, but was freed with just a few injuries to its wing.
It's believed windy conditions in Stanthorpe blew the bird into its trap.
It is now in the hands of wildlife carers.
