Escaped Ostrich Causes Miles Of Tailbacks After Wandering Onto Busy Road

Trying to get home during rush hour isn't much fun at the best of times - and having to deal with an escaped ostrich does certainly not equate to 'the best of times'.

But that is the bizarre hellscape that played out for unlucky drivers on the A12 near to Colchester this evening.

The escaped bird, which is believed to be either a rhea or an ostrich, caused several miles of tailbacks after wandering on to the A12, with some pissed-off commuters reporting five-mile-long queues.

It's not known where the big bird was off to - although I'm sure there's a Chris R(h)ea/'Driving Home For Christmas' gag in there somewhere, which we'll leave given that it's March.

One motorist caught up in the weird jam told the East Anglian Daily Times: "An ostrich is causing traffic chaos. An ostrich. It has caused tailbacks of at least five miles heading towards Ipswich."

Let's not forget though, mate - perhaps it's not an ostrich, it could be a rhea. But yeah, we get your point, not something you see every day.

Another took to Twitter to say: "It was very unexpected. It was only a short delay. It ran across the road, stopped a few cars, then ran off to cause some more problems. Was able to get away quite quickly fortunately!"

Grace Hoffman, who managed to film the incident, told the Daily Mail: "There was suddenly standstill traffic and I pulled to a stop.

"When I looked forward... an ostrich was just walking down the side of the road.

"A couple of people got out and helped but I think it was contained safely."

A spokesperson from Essex Police, who were called out to the scene, said: "We were contacted at around 5.30pm on Thursday March 21 following reports that an ostrich was running loose between junction 27 and 28 of the carriageway.

"Officers attended the scene to support Highways England colleagues and the ostrich was located at around 7pm."

Now, if you're sat there wondering what became of the poor bird, you'll be pleased to know that he is now back home, according to an officer from Stanway Roads Policing Unit, who shared some cute photos of the bird safe and sound after his little adventure.

Topics: UK News, Weird, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19