A COUNCIL worker thought he had gone quackers when he climbed into a manhole to rescue two stranded ducklings.

Fearing the two tiny birds would drown if the weren’t saved quickly, drainage engineer Derek Wilkinson, climbed into the drains near to Blackburn’s Queen’s Park.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The 62-year-old, who works for Blackburn with Darwen Council, was called out by RSPCA inspectors on Monday afternoon.

Inspectors said they thought the unlucky ducklings had been crossing the road when they had fallen into the guttering at the side of Queens Road, with one falling further than the other and becoming stuck.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Immediately I thought oh no how do I get this out. I was really proud to help. I was called in to do a job, and to get it done. I was as happy as Larry.

“It was a good end to a tragic story.”

Shortly after arriving Mr Wilkinson and his colleague Raymond Almond from the council’s jetting crew, devised a plan to save the ducklings.

The RSPCA inspector was able to reach the first duckling fairly easily by removing the grid cover and reaching inside.

But the second duck was in more of a flap after being able to free itself.

Mr Wilkinson climbed down the manhole and carefully jetted water to dislodge the chick while his colleague Mr Almond was stationed at the end of the drain with a net.

He said: “I could hear it chirping away.

“It was certainly a first for me.

“If the chick had fallen any further down the sewer, that would have been it.”

The jet of water enabled the duckling to be freed easily and it was then safely caught in the net.

The RSPCA then took the chicks away none the worse for their ordeal.

Mr Wilkinson said the RSPCA were attempting to re-unite the ducklings with their mother in Queen’s Park.

Derek, who now lives in Darwen, believed that the RSPCA were extremely thankful for his support, and that saving animals in need is incredibly important.

He said: “The RSPCA were really grateful.

“There are animals that need saving and are worth saving, and it is important to do so.”