Derek the swan death in Newlyn: Allied Healthcare donation to RSPB

It follows the death of Derek the swan in Newlyn last Wednesday, which was witnessed by a number of residents – and prompted on to even chase after the driver to question his actions.

Now a spokesperson for Alliance Healthcare, the company for the which the van driver was working, said: "On February 3 we were made aware of the sad incident that took place in Newlyn, Cornwall, where an Alliance Healthcare delivery driver accidentally struck a swan with his van.

"At Alliance Healthcare, we take any road traffic incidents very seriously and have immediately investigated the accident thoroughly, reviewing the visual and audio camera footage from equipment installed in the van.

"After this review, it has become clear that the driver was unaware of having struck ‘Derek’ the swan and was not at fault for his driving style.

"We understand that ‘Derek’ the swan was a part of the village life and that the residents of Newlyn are distressed by this event.

"We send our sincere condolences to them at this sad time. Alliance Healthcare will be making a donation to the RSPB as a mark of respect to Derek and the Newlyn community."

Video grab from dashcam footage of Derek the swan on the street of Newlyn, before the incident Picture: Nigel Tonkin / SWNS.COM

After Derek was struck, Newlyn resident Nigel Tonkin, 62, was moved to follow the van driver after he just drove off.

Nigel had been idly filming Derek drink from a puddle in the harbour area of Newlyn, before seeing a white van approach.

To his shock, the driver of the Alliance Healthcare van ran over the bird before continuing on his way – but Nigel chased after him and brought the man back to face up to his actions.

Nigel, a retired fisherman and Newlyn 'born and bred', said: "I just happened to be there and was filming him, and this van took him out.

"I was pretty disgusted and there was people shouting at him to stop.

"There were a lot of people that witnessed it – when the guy pulled away in the van people tried to stop him, one guy put his hand up but the driver just carried on."

READ NEXT:

• Biggest ever upgrade of a Cornish railway line since the 1950s completed today

When the driver left the scene, Nigel decided to chase after him – but insisted that he didn't drive dangerously or break the speed limit.

He continued: "I watched the swan then being completely ran over from front to back of the van, the back wheels went over the swan – I just saw red then and went after him, not at speed.

"The van was only going at 20mph, I eventually stopped the van and asked him 'Do you know what you've just done?' – he said, 'No, what have I done?'

"I told him he'd ran over a swan, and he said, 'Oh I might have seen a seagull'.

"I told him what he'd done, that young children had seen it and I told him he should go back to see if he'd harmed the swan, which I knew he had.

"So he followed me and went back, and this time there was quite a gathering of people because the swan was pretty distressed.

"There were several people on the phone to police and then the situation was dealt with, so I went home."

Video grab from dashcam footage of Derek the swan on the street of Newlyn, before the incident Picture: Nigel Tonkin / SWNS.COM

Nigel said the swan was a popular figure in the town, and many residents had fond memories of seeing Derek raising his cygnets.

He added: "The swan died. People are saying it's just a swan, but the bird was well known in Newlyn – he was one of the community if you like.

"To see him taken out in that way was pretty upsetting for all that witnessed it.

"He's been in the harbour for many years and had a wife and kids, it's very sad for the town."