A DRIVER has told how he helped to save an unborn baby deer after its mother ran into the path of his car.

Wesley Cubbage was driving along Chapeltown Road, Turton, on his way to pick up his girlfriend last month when the deer jumped over the wall into the path of his BMW.

The roe deer fawn, which is now being cared for at the RSPCA Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, survived the impact which killed its mother.

“I didn’t see the deer. At first I thought the stone wall had collapsed on the car,” said Mr Cubbage.

But when he stopped and walked behind the car he was met with the horrific sight of the dead mother deer, her abdomen split open by the impact and two fawns lying beside her.

One was dead but 20-year-old Mr Cubbage was amazed to see the other was alive and moving.

“It was trying to get up onto its feet,” he said.

Passers by stopped and rang for help while Mr Cubbage concentrated on tending to the fawn.

“I had a towel in my boot and so ran and got it and wrapped the fawn in it,” he said.

He kept hold of the bewildered animal, keeping it warm until RSPCA Inspector Ben Strangwood arrived to take charge.

Mr Cubbage, of Vale Street, Turton, said: “My car was a mess and needed a new front bumper.

"I have only just had it fixed, with my mum and dad’s help. I was in total shock.

“It must have happened many times that deer get killed on the road, but I am glad the fawn survived.”

He has been keeping in touch with the RSPCA to check on her progress and is hoping that one day she will be strong enough to be released back into the wild.

“I feel kind of responsible for her,” he said.

RSPCA staff, who have not named the deer as she is a wild animal and not a pet, hope she will make a full recovery and be returned to the wild.