Saturday, June 25, 2011

Tennessee Black bear is hit by police cruiser ... then gets up and runs off


Who says Bears aren’t tough birds?


Daily Mail






You wouldn't want to meet a black bear in the dead of night, but then again this particular beast probably wasn't keen on a showdown with a police patrol car in the darkness.

Deputy Jason Harvey was completing an uneventful patrol, winding his way down Highway 127 on Singal Mountain in Sequatchie County, Tennessee, on Friday night.

Suddenly, out of nowhere a young bear is in the middle of the road.

Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock said: 'Just below the scenic overlook, a black bear jumped into the road.'

Deputy Harvey's cruiser camera recorded the entire incident: the bear cub got bumped from behind.

'He knocked it down the road 25-30ft,' Sheriff Hitchcock said.

This is gonna hurt: The young black bear jumps out of the bushes and runs in front of the police car

Too fast, too close: The bear's head is clearly visible as the cruiser tries to slow down just inches from the animal
After regaining its balance, the bear didn't hang around to check for damage. Seemingly uninjured, the animal shot off into the woods.

Deputy Harvey's cruiser suffered minimal damage.
All Sheriff's Department vehicles have protective cages mounted on their front bumpers.

More here