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Owl returns to the wild after hitting ambulance

Galya Dimitrova
BBC News
South Central Ambulance Service A tawny owl sits on the ground surrounded by leaves with his eyes closed. He has a mixture of light brown and white feathers.South Central Ambulance Service
Gilbert was mid-flight when he hit the top of an ambulance

An injured owl has been returned to the wild after hitting the top of an ambulance.

Gilbert, a tawny owl, was left stunned after the collision on the A361 near South Newington, Oxfordshire, a few weeks ago.

South Central Ambulance Service said its crew called an out-of-hours vet and shared Gilbert's precise what3words location, which meant he received the care he needed as quickly as possible.

The vet confirmed Gilbert had "fully recovered" and been released.

South Central Ambulance Service Gilbert is being held by a paramedic with a green uniform on. The paramedic has blue gloves on. Gilbert has his eyes open and a small brown leaf caught in his feathers.South Central Ambulance Service
The ambulance crew used What3Words to make sure a vet could find him

Gilbert was mid-flight when he hit the ambulance as it was making its way back to base during a night shift.

What3Words is a free mobile phone application that gives every three square metres of the world a unique three-word phrase.

It is used by over 85% of UK emergency services.

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