Firefighters came to the rescue of a fox which had a brush with death after falling 25ft into an empty storm tank.
Crews were called to Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works, near Whitstable, after being alerted to the animal’s plight by a Southern Water employee.
Firefighters used a ‘grasper’ to capture the fox in the storm tank in Swalecliffe
He contacted the Fox Project charity, which helps rescue foxes in distress.
It in turn appealed to the fire service for help because it was deemed too hazardous for a volunteer to attempt a rescue of the animal.
A crew from Whitstable went to Brook Road on Christmas Eve and used a “grasper” to stop the fox running off.
The animal was then put in a sack and raised out of the tank.
The fox, which the charity named ‘Stormy’ due to his situation, was taken to the Broadway Veterinary Group in Herne Bay, where he was checked over, including an X-ray to detect any broken bones.
The fox was rescued by crews on Christmas EveThe fox fell into a 25ft deep storm tank in Swalecliffe, with no hope of escapeThe Swalecliffe fox has been named ‘Stormy’The fox was hauled to safety in a bag from the storm tank in SwalecliffeStormy the fox, recovering from his rescue ordeal
After being given the all-clear, he was returned to the care of the charity.
Its fundraiser and media manager, Nicki Townsend said: “He was incredibly lucky not to be injured but we kept him in overnight at our rescue centre in Tunbridge Wells for observation.
“The vet had given him some precautionary anti-inflammatories and he was fine in the morning.
“A volunteer then took him back to woodland near the area where he was found, released him and off he happily went.”
