Engineers were in disbelief after a weird noise coming from their van led them to find an unexpected passenger.
Telecoms engineer Dwayne Ofoeme, from Aigburth had picked up two of his colleagues to head to work on Monday, November 1.
After driving almost 60 miles to Cambridge Drive in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the trio heard a noise coming from the engine of their van.
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After looking under the van, Dwayne found a five-week-old kitten had climbed into the engine and had been clinging onto the undercarriage whilst the workers travelled down the M62 and M6.
Dwayne tried unsuccessfully to catch Ringo, who kept darting between the chassis and the undercarriage.
Not wanting to set off again with him still inside the engine, the telecoms engineer called the RSPCA for help.
Dwayne said: “We’d travelled down the M62 and the M6 and we’d got out in Cambridge Drive to start work.
“We immediately heard meowing and thought it was just a cat under the van. I then got underneath to see exactly where the noise was coming from and spotted a kitten, I couldn’t believe it.
“He was really scared and I tried for a long time to try and reach him but he just wouldn't come out, so we decided to call the RSPCA. He was such a character and we’re so pleased he’s ok.”
RSPCA inspector Jackie Hickman attended the incident and after more than an hour, finally managed to catch the kitten, nicknamed Ringo by the charity, after putting her hand inside from the top of the engine and coaxing him towards her with a packet of cat food.
Jackie said: “Despite his diminutive size, Ringo was an extremely vocal little guy. His little paws were oily and he was extremely hungry, but otherwise in good health. How he’s managed to cling to the undercarriage of the van for so long, I will never know.
“The men were absolutely fantastic; they were extremely concerned for his welfare and did their very best to catch him, but unfortunately Ringo had other ideas.
“He was seen by a vet and was very happy to have a little cuddle, so he’s definitely not a feral kitten and used to human company.
"He’s very young to be away from his mum and we thought it was unlikely he would be microchipped at this age, although we always check just in case. If someone recognises Ringo and thinks he might be their missing pet, we would ask them to contact us.”
Ringo is now in RSPCA care and will be vaccinated and microchipped in the coming weeks and then rehomed by the charity if his owner does not come forward.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
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