Good Samaritans have motorists on Kingsford Smith Drive in a flap

Two wildlife good Samaritans have left motorists on one of Brisbane’s busiest roads in a flap with their kind but brave actions to save a family of ducks that got caught out of water.

Kayhan Tabrizi and Riki-Lee Crane (blue), helping a family of ducks and there ducklings cross a busy Kingsford Smith Drive at the Racecourse Rd. intersection - on Wednesday 16th of October 2024 - Photo Steve Pohlner

Two brave good Samaritans held up traffic on one of Brisbane’s busiest road intersections to shepherd a family of ducks to safety after they tried to waddle across.

Amazed motorists tooted their horns as Kayhan Tabrizi and Riki-Lee Tulloh bravely walked out on to the intersection of Kingsford Smith Drive and Racecourse Rd in Hamilton. on Wednesday morning, October 16.

The good Samaritans held up traffic on busy Kingsford Smith Drive at the Racecourse Rd intersection as they carrided out their good deed. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Tabrizi, who lived nearby, was out walking when he spotted the mum and dad with their youngsters in tow trying to cross from the Brisbane River side of the intersection.

“I knew they’d try to cross back to the river side again, so we waited for traffic to stop and then walked out,’’ he said.

“There was no thought process, I just felt obliged to help the needy.

“Some people didn’t realise what we were doing and started tooting their horns, but the ones who could see the ducks put on their hazards (lights), which helped.’’

Kayhan Tabrizi guides the ducks across. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Tabrizi then faced another dilemma, with the ducks stuck on the pedestrian walkway high above the water and with the rocks below exposed due to a low tide.

He called police, a wildlife rescue group, Brisbane City Council and the RSPCA for help, all to no avail, before the intrepid avians took matters into their own hands and jumped.

Riki-Lee Crane helps the ducks across the road. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Luckily, they appeared to land safely on the rocks before heading off down the river.

Ms Tulloh was driving to a meeting when she saw the ducks.

The nervous family waiting on the Kingsford Smith Drive pedestrian path before finally jumping into the river. Picture: Kayhan Tabrizi

“I thought, ‘I can’t keep on with my day and just leave them’,’’ she said.

“So I chucked on my hazards, stopped in the turning lane and then turned the corner before jumping out.

Kayhan Tabrizi helps the ducks cross the road. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Once we got them across safely we came up with a plan to get them back across because we knew they would try to cross again.

Traffic waits for the ducks to cross. Picture Steve Pohlner

“All the cars stopped, thank goodness.

“It was a great outcome but I was shaking afterwards. The adrenaline was pumping.’’