Truck driver who hit a bald eagle tried to save its life

A man in Washington did everything he could to make sure one low-flying bald eagle didn't die alone on Tuesday after it collided with his truck's windshield.

The driver, whose name has not been reported, pulled over after striking the bird. It was in shock but conscious, alongside the highway 15 miles west of Seattle, KATU ABC 2 reported.

He then did what any true American would do: held it closely until help arrived. 

"He felt bad for it so he picked it up and held it," Trooper Russ Winger of the Washington State Patrol told the Portland-area TV station, until wildlife agents could come and take it away.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The eagle was then taken to the West Sound Wildlife Shelter on Bainbridge Island, where it died of "blunt force trauma to the chest," shelter spokesperson Kate McCaslin told Mashable. 

"And its air sacks were filling with blood." She estimated the bird, a male, was 5 years old.

The shelter worker said that while what the trucker did was noble, it was dangerous and not the recommended protocol when encountering an injured eagle. 

"It's very dangerous to hold the eagle," McCaslin said. "They're a lot stronger than you think." 

Better to put a heavy blanket over it and scoop it up with that, she explained, and then put it in a dog crate if you have one readily available. 

And use gloves, if you can. "We always wear Kevlar gloves here when we work with eagles," she said.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.