Turtle Finds Himself In A Pickle, Firefighters Save The Day

Quick Smiles:

• Florida firefighters rescue a turtle from a city sewer, proving not all heroes wear capes.
• The turtle, lacking ninja skills, was saved by the clever teamwork of first responders.
• Local children endearingly named the turtle “Mr. Pickles” after his sewer adventure.

On a sunny December day, just before the festive season kicked in, a turtle found itself in a bit of a pickle on Sanibel Island, Florida.

This was no ordinary turtle; it was a turtle without the famed ninja attributes, trapped in a city sewer.

Captain Robert Wilkins and his team were alerted to the situation by a concerned local who had been trying to find help for days.

“The call came into the firehouse and the lady was obviously distraught,” Wilkins recounted.

“She was telling us the turtle was in a drain and it had been there for three or four days. She’d called multiple people to help it and no one was coming.”

The sewer, located near a strip mall, provided just enough moisture for the turtle’s skin, but it was surrounded by muck and debris.

Despite the lack of samurai swords or nunchucks, the turtle remained calm, even without a slice of pizza in sight.

The rescue operation involved opening the grate and lowering firefighter Allen Schelm into the narrow shaft by his legs.

Schelm bravely volunteered and successfully retrieved the turtle, showcasing his own ninja-like dexterity.

The rescue team humorously earned the nickname “Michelangelo” after their heroic deed.

“We may or may not have ordered some rubber duckies with that written on them,” Schelm quipped.

As the turtle was brought to safety, local children affectionately named it “Mr. Pickles,” inspired by its unusual predicament.

This delightful rescue story, featuring dedicated officers and a fortunate turtle, is one to share and smile about.

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