Repton: Rhea on the run in village shocks driver

A rhea on the run left a driver in shock after it jumped out in front of his car.

The large, flightless bird was seen running down Main Street in Repton, Derbyshire, on Sunday afternoon.

Robert Jay, a window cleaner in the village, was driving with his wife when the rhea suddenly appeared.

Mr Jay shared a video, which was filmed by his wife, on social media with the caption: "That's the biggest chicken I've ever seen."

Speaking to the BBC, he added: "We were just on our way back from shopping and it just jumped out in front of the car.

"It was shock at first. I didn't expect to see something like that. I thought it was an emu.

"It made our day."

The rhea escaped from a farm in Repton through a gate which was left open, a farmer said.

The bird has since been safely reunited with its rightful owner and is in good health after being checked over by vets.

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30 April 2024