Watch: Police rescue eight ducklings trapped in storm drain

A routine patrol took an unexpected turn for two Queensland police officers who sprang into action to rescue ducklings trapped inside an inner-Brisbane storm drain.

A Queensland police officer went beyond the call of duty, diving into a storm drain in inner Brisbane to rescue a stranded brood of ducklings.

Constables Dalton Philippa and Mason Smith were on patrol in Spring Hill shortly after midday on Tuesday, July 15, when they spotted a lone duckling running across the road.

Following the little duckling to a nearby storm water drain, the officers sprang into action after hearing the chirps of eight more ducklings trapped inside.

Rescue footage shows the officers carefully placing the ducklings into a cooler bag, improvised as a temporary shelter to keep them safe.

In total, nine ducklings were rescued and taken to the RSPCA for care.

Police say investigations to locate the mother duck are ongoing.

Originally published as Watch: Police rescue eight ducklings trapped in storm drain