Van driver hands himself in to police over ducklings ‘crushed to death’

A man has handed himself into police investigating claims three ducklings were ‘crushed to death’ by an impatient van driver as they crossed a road.

The 61-year-old, from Stoke on Trent, was ‘voluntarily interviewed’ on Sunday, Staffordshire Police said in a brief statement.

The force launched a probe after reports the ducklings perished as they crossed a road in the Trentham area on Friday.

Traffic stopped to allow a family of ducks to cross the road – but motorists were left disgusted after a man in a white van allegedly crushed three of seven young birds.

The incident has sparked fury on social media after a witness posted distressing pictures of the ducklings lying on the road – leading many to call for a criminal enquiry.

An investigation is continuing to establish if any offences have been committed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

A Staffordshire Police statement issued on Twitter said: ‘We are aware of a post circulating of a van driver who is believed to have killed ducklings in Trentham.

‘We understand this is an emotive issue for many people and we ask please that you do not take matters into your own hands.’