Emu halts traffic after it escapes and runs loose around Rawtenstall

Several sightings of an Emu running loose around Rawtenstall were reported earlier today.

Motorists commuting to work were stunned to come across an Emu walking in the middle of the road this morning.

The big bird was first seen at around 7.20am on January 29th as it walked along Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall. A flurry of sightings of the feathery friend were also reported on Bury Road near Horncliffe Mansions, in Edenfield.

A video clip of the strutting flightless bird was shared to social media by passing motorists as some people tried their best to usher the bird to safety on nearby fields and away from the dangers of the road.

A clip shared by Phil Manicolo on Facebook showed the long-legged, long-necked animal strutting along the centre of the road before being shocked by a passing car on the opposite side, and then turning in the other direction and proceeding to chase it.

In a caption under the video, Mr Manicolo wrote: “Anyone lost an Emu? I got out and tried to get it into a field for safety. He let me give him a little stroke on his back and then he carried on running down the road. Hope it gets back home safe?

“I’ve muted the video because my language at the learner driver who didn’t slow down for it wasn’t great haha.”

The clip was shared to the Facebook group What’s On In Ramsbottom, where people flocked to the comments as one person wrote: “Orrrr. Hope it was returned safely poor thing, glad you helped and was there otherwise it may have been hit by idiot drivers x.”

Another put: “That was on the road at 7.20 this morning near Hall Carr. A man was trying to get it off the road. Hope it got back to its owners safely.”

A third said: “Geese … emus … what next ???” and a fourth typed: “Flipping heck seen it all now!”

Another video of the roaming bird was posted on Facebook by Si Carvell alongside a caption which read: “TRAFFIC ALERT – Avoid Bury Road, there is an EMU on the loose.”

The clip shows the bird slowly strutting on the opposite side of the road with a tail of vehicles slowly driving behind it. One person commented: “I think it thinks it’s a road runner but a very slow one.”

A second said: “Yep, definitely not a road runner.” While another joked: “Imagine being late for work and your excuse is an emu held up the traffic on a Monday morning as well.”

According to comments on social media, the bird has now been caught and taken to safety.

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