A rare bird has been saved from a slow and grisly death in a seaside town best known for its links to Dracula.
The distressed turnstone was spotted dangling helplessly from metal ladders above crashing waves.
It had become snarled up in fishing line and was unable to free itself.
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Luckily for the stricken wader, lifeboat heroes swooped in just in time.
The rescue took place in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where Bram Stoker found inspiration for his novel Dracula during a holiday to the town in 1890, as reported by Need To Know.
A spokesperson for Whitby RNLI said: “The lifeboat rescued a small bird, tangled in fishing wire at Whitby Pier.
“Our volunteer lifeboat crew launched to a turnstone that was spotted in distress, hanging from metal steps.
“They sprang into action in the inshore lifeboat.
“Coming to its rescue, crew member Andy climbed the steps to free the bird.
“It was then safely brought back to the station and carefully untangled before being set free.”
Footage from the scene showed blood on the bird’s wing after the fishing line was finally removed.
Turnstones are coastal waders known for flipping stones, seaweed and beach debris to find food.
They favour rocky shores and often rub shoulders with other hardy beach-dwellers like purple sandpipers.
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