A fox is lucky to be alive after being hit by a train just outside Bishopstone Railway Station.

Local residents next to the station noticed the fox on the railway and called East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) who alerted Network Rail.  WRAS sent an ambulance to the scene where rescuers Trevor Weeks MBE and Chris Riddington waited for Network Rail to arrive.

“The guy from Network Rail walked along the line and used our equipment to catch and secure the fox which didn’t put up much of a fight.” Said Trevor Weeks.

The fox was carried back to the waiting rescuers  who started assessing the fox’s condition. “The was a fresh wound on the foxes head, as well as older wounds on the body and damage to the tail. We later discovered damaged to one of the rear legs” said rescuer Chris.

The fox was given emergency medication at the scene and transported to one of WRAS’s vets for a better assessment, before being cleaned up, treated and then bedded down for the night.

The fox is now awaiting x-rays to check for internal injuries and is due to be seen by vets again during Monday.

“This is one lucky fox, being so close to Bishopstone Station trains were running slowly over the top of the fox which was lying between the rails in the middle of the track. At some point the fox had had a bump to the head and has had a small wounds which has needed to be sutured. The tail has been run over and damaged and will need to have the end section of tail removed and tied up. The leg is our biggest concern and until we know more about the internal damage we are not sure how well that will recover.” Said Trevor.

“We were very impressed with Network for attending so quickly and for handling the fox in a very sympathetic nature and thank them for attend and working with us” added Chris.

-END-

Press Contacts:

Trevor Weeks – 01828-873003 or 07913523958

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