by Keyan Milanian

kmilanian@thekmgroup.co.uk

A seagull impaled on the mast of a boat led to calls to the emergency services.
The bird’s wing had been pierced and became stuck on the abandoned boat’s mast at Sun Pier in Chatham, near Staples.
Distressed parents and children called the emergency services at about 7pm on Wednesday, claiming the bird was a swan in the hope that someone would be sent immediately.
Both the coastguard and firefighters decided it would be too dangerous to wade out and attempt a rescue that evening.
Earlier that day the RSPCA had also attempted a rescue, which failed when officers could not get a boat.
The bird was eventually brought down the next morning, and was put to sleep.
Chris Feltom, from Pier Road, Gillingham, said a gust of wind had caught the bird and impaled it and he watched as emergency services decided what to do.
He said: “It was quite emotional watching it. The bird was looking at us as if to say we were its only hope.”
For any incidents around the coast or surrounding waters dial 999 for the Coastguard.