The newborn cygnet, kicked by a jogger in Richmond Park on Monday evening was still fighting for its life today at the Swan Sanctuary, Shepperton.

Staff said the cygnet, thought to be four days, old had 'made it through the night' but was still very poorly after receiving a significant head injury and a broken neck.

One staff member said:"The poor little thing has now battled through two nights against the odds but it is still an uphill struggle because of the scale of the injuries. We are doing our very best to keep it alive."

The cygnet is being monitored around the clock and treated by the sanctuary's vets with ant-biotics and anti-inflammatory drug despite its severe injuries.

The Swan Sanctuary, which is a charity and works around the clock to save swans which have been injured in accidents or victims of attacks, has received 'thousands of calls and emails' asking about the health of the cygnet.

"The sad story has gone viral because everyone is just so angry about this thoughtless act," said the staff member.

The incident happened at about 5.30pm on Monday evening near the Pen Ponds in Richmond when a jogger, described as aged about 60 with grey hair and 5ft 6ins callously kicked the cygnet out of his path and ran on.

Shocked witnesses alerted the park authorities and the cygnet was rushed to the Swan Sanctuary where work started immediately to save its life.

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