Fox rescued from drain after nine-hour ordeal

Rescuers spent more than nine hours freeing a fox trapped in a drain.

The animal got stuck in the pipes underneath a housing estate in Humberston, North East Lincolnshire on Sunday.

Firefighters, volunteers from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue (CWR) and engineers from Anglian Water eventually rescued the animal which was wedged in a 4in (10cm) wide pipe before taking it to a vet for treatment to its injuries.

In a social media post, the wildlife charity said it was "the most difficult rescue we've ever faced".

The fox was spotted by residents, who tried to help it escape from the drain before calling for help.

CWR said when the animal was removed it had "multiple wounds" and underwent surgery and other treatment on its hind legs.

Rescuers have named the fox Valor and said it had a "very long road ahead of him" before it fully recovers.

"It was an incredibly challenging rescue and a real team effort," a CWR spokesperson said.

"His prognosis is still guarded, but we're really encouraged that just four hours after surgery he was already standing on all four legs.

"He's certainly proving to be a fighter".

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