A van driver had a lucky escape when a deer crashed through the windshield during a terrifying accident. The deer’s antlers were left protruding from the Opel van’s shattered glass after the collision in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany early on Tuesday morning. The 29-year-old driver had no time to react as the deer unexpectedly leaped in front of the van at around 7 am, resulting in a full-force impact. Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries, while the deer suffered severe injuries and had to be euthanized by a hunter at the scene.
The van sustained significant damage from the collision, with repair costs estimated at approximately €15,000 (£13,100), as per Bild. Firefighters were called to the scene to salvage the vehicle, and the road had to be closed for an hour for the cleanup.
Authorities in Germany are now cautioning drivers to remain vigilant for wildlife, especially on rural roads, following this incident that underscored how quickly a routine commute can turn disastrous.
In a separate incident last month, a horse broke free from its cart during a funeral procession in Dublin, crashing head-on into a car. The incident, captured on video, occurred in Clondalkin, a village west of Dublin, as a horse-drawn cart was part of the procession alongside a horse and carriage hearse. Despite attempts to control the runaway horse, it ran a red light and collided with a car.
Footage showed the aftermath of the collision, with the driver reacting in shock. The injured horse was seen in a second video with a swollen face and head, receiving treatment and hopeful recovery prospects.
Following the Dublin incident, an animal rescue charity called for an investigation, denouncing the events as “lawlessness and cruelty.”