A wildlife rescue specialist risked her life by stopping her car in the fast lane of the M25 to save an injured duck from certain death.

Carly Ahlen of Dartford-based Gabo Wildlife was driving on the motorway near Swanley, on Wednesday, when she saw a group of four ducks in the fast lane – three of which had sadly been crushed by traffic.

Carly, who was returning from a swan sanctuary in Middlesex, having rescued a cygnet from Bluewater that morning, said she was shocked by what she described as a "real horror unfolding in front of her very eyes".

She didn't think twice about running into the motorway to save the surviving duck, while a van driver also came to the rescue to stop approaching traffic.

"It was traumatised and running around so I stopped my car and ran out to rescue him and got him," said Carly. “I couldn't believe my eyes. I stopped my car in the fast lane, making sure I was not placing any humans in danger, but my life was surely at risk. I started to run to the last remaining duck."

While the van driver halted traffic, Carly sprinted down the motorway, weaving between queuing cars to grab the bird, which had suffered a head injury and was bleeding.

Carly then put the duck in a carrier and drove to safety – then treated the bird to stop the bleed on its head, which she described as a "terrible wound".

Thankfully, the treatment was successful and the bird is now recovering at the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton, Surrey – a charity dedicated to the treatment of swans and waterfowl.

Carly added: "I was pretty shaken up. I was already exhausted from rescuing a cygnet in Bluewater earlier in the day, as well as taking care of many injured animals I have under my foundation's care.

"I carefully stemmed the bleed on the duck's head and treated her for shock. I then made arrangements urgently to have her transported to the Swan Sanctuary, who have informed me that she also suffered a broken wing, but is otherwise expected to make a full recovery.

"I am glad I managed to save her life. I just wished I had driven to the scene a few seconds earlier to have saved them all."