City Times Staff

Whiting residents Colleen Miskowiak (left) and Jeff Michur intercepted a large snapping turtle at the busy intersection of Post Road and County HH on Sunday afternoon.

Jeff Michur jumps back after releasing the turtle near the McDill Pond shoreline. (City Times photo)

The duo was driving by when they saw a teenage boy having trouble moving the roughly 18-inch-long turtle off the road and out of traffic. Several motorists slowed and drove around the turtle and its would-be rescuer, though one vehicle did almost hit the animal.

When the turtle went on the defensive and tried to attack the boy, the two pulled into the McDill Auto parking lot and hurried into the westbound lanes to lend a hand.

Armed with the only thing they could find in their vehicle- a tennis racket- Miskowiak and Michur successfully removed the turtle from the roadway, partially carrying and partially prodding the animal out of traffic. Once the turtle was off the road, Michur was able to carry it to McDill Pond.

Michur noted the turtle was “not happy” being carried by its shell, and lightheartedly called it “one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done”, but sustained no injuries during the rescue.

“Don’t these things know we have bridges?” Joked Miskowiak.