Falling moose nearly takes out trooper

Anchorage Daily News ^ | February 12th, 2008 | By BETH BRAGG

[Species8472]

We've seen the highway signs that warn of falling rocks, and we've seen the ones that warn of moose crossing. Now Howard Peterson of the Alaska State Troopers wonders if we need a new sign:

Watch for falling moose.

A swing-shift trooper based in Girdwood, Peterson was cruising the Seward Highway the night of Feb. 2 a couple miles north of McHugh Creek when something big and black fell from the sky, landing about 20 feet from his car.

"Falling rock!" he thought, ready to steer clear if it bounced onto the highway.

When the rock didn't roll or shatter, Peterson's brain came up with a crazy image:

"Falling moose?"

An adult moose, wandering rocky terrain more suitable to the Dall sheep that populate it, plunged to its death from the tall cliffs that hug a highway famous for its scenery and wildlife.

The animal landed on the side of the road just a few yards in front of Peterson, who figures it fell 150 feet, maybe farther. He snapped a couple of photos and called one of the charities that salvage road kill to tell them there was a moose available at Mile 113 .

[Species8472]

Speaks for itself!

[thackney]

Try to explain to your insurance company that a skydiving moose forgot his parachute and landed on your car...

[Tennessee Nana]

*YAWN*

A few months ago it was a falling cow...

now it’s a moose...

[Robert A Cook PE]

I’m glad it missed my sister ...

[patton]

Ouch.

[Free Vulcan]

...but manages to bite his sister!

[null and void]

[tumblindice]

“An adult moose . . . plunged to its death.”

Nothing to live for, so sad.

[JRios1968]

It was pining for the fjords...

[abb]

Say WHAT?!?!?!

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

"But he always figured moose held steadfastly to the earth.

He knows better now.

"They can fly and they can land," he said. "Just not very well."

At least the Trooper got in a good line.

[HawaiianGecko]

I liked the comment "They can fly and they can land. Just not very well."

[ARE SOLE]

[Moonman62]

I remember that falling cow story. And a few seconds after it was posted, somebody posted a picture of real road sign warning of falling cows. Who knew?

[Tennessee Nana]

Yeah

that one in # 13

LOL

[Tennessee Nana]

Thanks

I thought of that pic

LOL

[spotbust1]

Witnesses claimed to see this character flying away from the scene.

Upon arrest the suspect was heard to say:



"I'm innocent I tell ya, innocent!"

[Billthedrill]

The ones made of cheese don't try hang-gliding.

[CrimsonDynamo]

[Kevmo]

This is one of those stories that his buddies simply won’t believe.