Quick-thinking West Lothian teen's carrot idea helped firefighter dad rescue deer stuck in railings

A teenage girl helped rescue a panicked deer stuck in railings - by giving her firefighter dad carrots to feed it.

Station Commander Kevin Ketchen, Abby and the carrots

Abby Ketchen, 15, overheard her dad Kevin being called out to help the trapped animal.

The schoolgirl grabbed a bunch of carrots and handed them to her dad as he was about to rush out the house in Mid Calder, West Lothian, on Monday.

Keen horserider Abby has three dogs so guessed the carrots would calm down the frightened deer, which she nicknamed 'Rudolph'.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service station commander Kevin, 50, a dad-of-four – said: "I was at home when I was mobilised to the rescue which Abby overheard.

"Before I left, Abby handed me the carrots and said 'try these dad' so I took them with me and I'm glad I did.

"I was at the scene first, before the arrival of Livingston Blue Watch and a heavy rescue unit.

"The deer was trapped in a railings and was panicking.

"I laid the carrots down in front of the deer and it suddenly calmed down as it sniffed the vegetables.

"I was able to carry out a Dynamic Risk Assessment and provide a plan for the oncoming crews.

"When the crew arrived we got the spreaders to move the railings and I assisted in lifting the deer through the railings who very quickly ran away.

"The carrots really did work and it's a good end to the story providing some good news at last in 2020.

"I am so proud of Abby and so is my wife Fiona - she is a credit to us both."

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