Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash

These images show a duck that flew in front of a car travelling on a motorway and slammed straight into the grille becoming trapped there.

The incident took place on the A45 motorway in the direction of Frankfurt, in the German state of Hesse, on Thursday 16th July.

The shocked motorist, who has not been named, pulled over at the nearest car park, according to German newspaper Stadt Anzeiger and checked the front of the vehicle.

The driver, reportedly a man, was shocked to discover a live duck embedded in the Ford’s grille. The exact model of the car is unclear.

The police were unable to help so they called the fire brigade who sent out a fire engine and an animal transport vehicle.

According to the fire brigade, they were able to cut the grille and free the duck, which was luckily unharmed, save for a few lost feathers.

Fire brigade press officer Oliver Koerner said in a statement: “The duck probably had to leave some feathers, but was otherwise unharmed. The duck is well, and all is good!”

The duck was handed over to animal protection organisation Arche90 who are giving it a checkup.