Truck driver attempts to save bald eagle after highway collision
Apr 5, 2016, 8:43 AM | Updated: 12:42 pm
After colliding with a bald eagle, a truck driver stopped and held it until it could be transported to a wildlife center. (Washington State Patrol)
(Washington State Patrol)
Update
The eagle saved from the side of a Kitsap highway has died at a wildlife shelter on Bainbridge Island.
According to the West Sound Wildlife Shelter, the eagle’s injuries were too severe and it passed away shortly after arriving there. The eagle died of massive blunt force trauma to the chest.
Original story
A bald eagle collided with a pickup truck while flying past Highway 16 outside of Tacoma Tuesday morning. The incident startled the truck driver, who stopped and held the bird until emergency crews could respond.
“A truck was traveling eastbound toward Tacoma on Highway 16. A large bald eagle swooped down across the highway and happened to strike the windshield of the truck. The bird went down onto the shoulder,” said Trooper Russ Winger. “The driver of the truck felt bad for it — it was still alive — so he stopped and picked it up. It’s a very large bird and he held it until we got there.”
The Department of Wildlife was called in, and the eagle has been transported to the West Sound Wildlife Shelter on Bainbridge Island. Winger said it was obvious the bird was in shock and hurt pretty bad.
“Hopefully, they can save it, but it’s going to be a tough go,” Winger said. “It was a pretty good impact. It was alert and still alive when they took it.”
