PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — A curious kitten had a narrow escape after becoming lodged between the wheels of a semi-truck on the Ohio Turnpike last month, authorities said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol shared footage of the rescue on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, dubbing the incident “Mission Im-paw-sible.” According to officials, the truck driver discovered the trapped feline during a routine pre-trip inspection on May 14, in Portage County.
The video shows the small kitten wedged tightly between the truck’s dual wheels as responders strategized how to free her.
“Its paw’s stuck—it’s holding on with its claw,” a rescuer noted as the team assessed the situation.
Authorities used heavy equipment to lift the truck and carefully loosen the wheel. At one point, a responder urged the frightened kitten: “All you gotta do is come out!”
After removing the wheel, a team member swiftly scooped up the unharmed kitten and placed her in a secure box. Rescuers speculated the animal may have crawled into the truck’s undercarriage seeking shelter.
“Thankfully, you found her before you drove off,” one person remarked in the video, while another praised the driver’s vigilance.
The kitten’s condition after the rescue was not disclosed, but the Highway Patrol’s post highlighted the importance of vehicle inspections to prevent similar incidents.
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