The Chesterton Fire
Department was johnny-on-the spot on Wednesday when a troop of ducklings
fell into a stormsewer on Gateway Blvd. near the Lakeshore Bone & Joint
Institute.
"With the
stay-at-home order lifted, this family was out and about but got stuck,"
Fire Chief John Jarka told the Chesterton Tribune.
Fortunately for Mr.
and Mrs. Mallard, a passer-by heard the frightened ducklings quacking in the
sewer and on investigation observed all six of the little ones huddled
together--sheltering-in-place--in a corner behind a large concrete drainage
pipe.
Mama Duck, at wit's
end, "was protecting the drain when firefighters arrived," Jarka noted, "but
then wandered off so B Crew could do their work."
Firefighters
removed the grate, allowing Lt. Brandon Smith to lower himself into the
stormsewer and gingerly lift each baby out of the gloom.
"Once all ducklings
were safely out of the drain, Mom quickly returned and gathered up her
family," Jarka was happy to report.