Passing motorists saved a donkey that had strayed onto a dual-lane highway. They brought him to safety at a bus stop nearby.
Amy Smith, 28, from Malton, was driving eastbound on the A64 in North Yorkshire at about 06:50 BST when she saw the animal near Whitwell-on-the-Hill.
The donkey was eventually accepted by the equine vet, along with her partner.
They secured the animal until its return to its owner.
Cameron Roberts, Ms Smith’s partner, was also an equine veterinarian, and they were on their way from the airport to Amsterdam to pick up the animal.
She said, “He was standing in the fast lane so it was necessary to quickly turn around and wrestle him into a bus stop.”
Greg James, Radio 1’s Breakfast Show host, said that Ms Smith had an “exciting” morning.
“We didn’t have anything to catch the donkey so an electrician stopped us and gave us a strap. We managed to get the donkey to a bus stop.”
Ms Smith stated that the donkey seemed to be fine after a quick examination. Fortunately, two motorway lorries had stopped as they helped him cross the road.
She claimed that the bus stop had glass panels, so they were able to “stuff him into” it.
Ms Smith was greeted by a police officer who said that he drove around the village until someone recognized the donkey so that the owner could be alerted.
She explained that the animal had escaped and walked for about a mile through the village to reach the main road.
Murphy was the owner’s name for the donkey and he was finally able to safely walk him home.
Ms Smith and her companion were able to make it on their flight.
“It was surreal, and luckily we made it to our plane.”
North Yorkshire Police spokesperson stated that Murphy was saved by the public and they called for assistance.
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