On-the-run wallaby killed by car

Hopper had been living wild within a few miles of the centre

A wallaby which went on the run from a wildlife centre in Northumberland has died after being hit by a car.

Hopper, a two-year-old male, dug its way out of the Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre in Northumberland, more than a month ago.

The marsupial evaded capture several times, in one case jumping a over a 9ft (2.7m) wall to escape, according to owner Ray Lowdon.

Hopper died after being hit on the C200 near Tower Knowe on Sunday morning.

The animal suffered a broken leg in the crash, said staff at the wildlife centre.

The vet says it was probably the shock of the crash that killed him Terry Gray, Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre

Spokeswoman Terry Gray said: "We got a call from a distressed driver who had hit Hopper.

"We got to the scene and put him in the back of the van, but by the time we got back to the centre he had died.

"The vet says it was probably the shock of the crash that killed him."

Since escaping on 31 May, Hopper had been living wild and grazing within a few miles of the centre.

Members of the public reported numerous sightings of the wallaby, but it vanished each time keepers arrived.

Staff at the centre are "devastated" by Hopper's death, said Ms Gray.