A SWAN was struck by a lorry yesterday morning as it tried to fly over a bridge.

The incident happened on the Princess Diana Bridge, Stockton, as the bird tried to gain height to fly over the bridge, but miscalculated and was struck by the vehicle.

A member of the public who saw the incident and PC Andy Pitts, from Stockton Police, stayed with the swan, which had seriously injured its leg, until the RSPCA arrived.

A spokesman from the RSPCA said: "Tragically, the swan had to be put to sleep because of the extent of its injuries, which meant it would have suffered in the future.

"It had a badly-fractured leg and was also suffering from shock. It is a very sad and tragic end, but at least it did not suffer unnecessarily.