Owl hits head on MBTA train, transported to hospital by employee

An owl was taken to an animal hospital after he hit his head on an MBTA train in Brookline Village just before midnight Wednesday.

Train operator Hoa Tran told authorities that she noticed the bird made contact with the train and was able to find it nearby and safely move it to a bench away from the track area.

It’s not clear if the train was moving when the owl hit the vehicle.

MBTA investigator Christopher McLaughlin arrived at the scene and was able to confirm that the bird was, in fact, an owl, and was able to secure the animal in a small cardboard box with the help of supervisor Fred Difrederico.

The group then hit a small snag, MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo said — the agency reached out to Brookline Animal Control, Boston Animal Control, the MSPCA and Massachusetts Environmental police, all of whom said they had no one available to assist at that late hour.

Then, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton said they’d be able to help the animal, but lacked any means of picking it up.

That’s when McLaughlin stepped up to the plate, according to Pesaturo, offering to drive the animal up to the hospital at the end of his shift.

“It’s always great to see our employees go over and above their regular duties,” Acting MBTA GM Brian Shortsleeve wrote in a brief statement. “It was a terrific team effort last night by some very dedicated employees.”

Information about the owl’s condition was not immediately available Thursday.