Overview
- Two cranes on the A2 near Breukelen/Maarssen on Saturday morning led to the closure of two lanes toward Utrecht and roughly 15 minutes of delay, according to ANWB.
- Rijkswaterstaat reported one crane was struck earlier in the morning, and RTV Utrecht later confirmed the bird was killed as its mate stayed nearby and returned to the roadway.
- All lanes have since reopened, with a speed restriction in the Utrecht-bound direction because the surviving bird remains in the vicinity.
- A road inspector and the animal ambulance attempted to capture the surviving crane but were unsuccessful, and responders moved the carcass to the roadside to reduce risk.
- The animal ambulance noted the birds match ringed grey crowned cranes seen locally, which do not occur in the wild in the Netherlands, and authorities are investigating their provenance.