Updated: Ostriches reunited with owner after escaping and causing chaos closing A17

Fast-acting Lincolnshire cops were not guilty of sticking their heads in the sand when they raced to collar three escaped ostriches that were running amok on the A17 near Boston.
Andy Hubbert
By Andy Hubbert
Published 27th Aug 2022, 19:36 BST
Updated 29th Aug 2022, 09:13 BST
Lincolnshire POlice have reopened the A17 at Swineshead Bridge after detaining the escaped ostriches. (Stock image)Lincolnshire POlice have reopened the A17 at Swineshead Bridge after detaining the escaped ostriches. (Stock image)
Lincolnshire POlice have reopened the A17 at Swineshead Bridge after detaining the escaped ostriches. (Stock image)

Lincolnshire Police control room naturally took to Twitter when they issued the alert to motorists at around 4pm this afternoon (Saturday) saying: “We have had to close the A17 near Swineshead Bridge due to three ostriches in the road. Yes, you read that correctly.

"Hopefully this is a temporary measure, but they are currently a danger to themselves and road users.

"Please avoid the area for now.”

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After numerous comedy replies and comments from followers, in an update half an hour later they added: “Glad to update a swift resolution. We now have these road runners under control and the A17 is fully open.”

Officers from the Rural Crime Team and British Transport Police identified the owner and rounded up what turned out to be three emus who were safely returned to their home field.