Flying blind: The heart-stopping moment a ‘Blue Thunder’ special forces helicopter suddenly swoops out of the gloom over fog-bound mountain pass in the Lake District
- Brian Weatherall, 45, was driving over the Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria with family
- He suddenly slams on the breaks as a special forces helicopter looms out of fog
- Mr Weatherall said he was on holiday and taking it steady on a steep hill
- Social media users seemed to see the funny side of the dramatic footage
This is the unbelievable moment a motorist had to contend with a tricky road hazard – when a special forces helicopter almost lands on a misty countryside lane.
Driver Brian Weatherall, 45, had been driving over Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria with his family and passes a cyclist on his left before approaching a white Seat on the opposite side of the road flashing its lights.
Mr Weatherall suddenly slams the breaks on as a dark image of a helicopter looms out of the fog almost skimming the stone wall.
In the footage he can be heard saying ‘Woah, a massive helicopter’- as the impressive piece of military machinery passes over.
After it passes Mr Weatherall continues with his journey in the murky conditions, with his family bursting into excited laughter.
He adds: ‘That’s not something you see very often.’
You can start to the see the helicopter begin to take shape as it comes out of the murky conditions in Cumbria
Driver Dave Weatherhall was on holiday with his family and stops the car as the helicopter flies remarkable near them
In the background the young man can be heard excitedly saying he will tell his friends about the unexpected road block.
Describing the moment, civil engineer Mr Weatherall, of Durham, said: ‘I just couldn’t believe it, I’ve never seen anything like it.
‘I was on holiday at the time and the roads were bad so I was taking it steady on the steep hill.
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‘It happened about 2pm and I had the whole family in the car, it really was quite something – and a lucky escape.’
Brian said after he realised the near miss he said it was ‘pretty awesome’ to witness such an event.
The helicopter- which is thought to be special forces- passes the family car, narrowly missing the stone wall
He added: ‘It does make you feel safe when you see how our forces can fly a helicopter.’
The helicopter is believed to be a special forces chopper carrying out manoeuvres in the treacherous conditions.
Brian uploaded the clip to Facebook with the caption: ‘Ok I’ll give way!
Cumbria is full of surprises. Especially when the SAS are about.’
Driver Brian Weatherall, 45, who captured the footage on his dashcam, said he ‘just couldn’t believe it, I’ve never seen anything like it.’
The footage has already been viewed over 35,000 times.
On social media, David Parker joked: ‘Think you had right of way, he was on the wrong side of the road.’
Colin Noble added: ‘This is the kind of stuff we used to see in my backyard. Often used to see the air force flying through valleys looking down on them from mountain tops.’
Lm Johnson added: ‘Just your average country drive then.’
Declan Morland wrote: ‘Thank you so much for that footage it’s awesome.
Them lot are nuts doing that.’
Christian Grammer said: ‘That’s completely mad, Brian. We watched it scoot over Ullswater at Glenridding and into the dense cloud bank that started in Patterdale. I wondered how the hell they would manage. Thanks for answering that one.’
Ross Mitchell concurred, writing: ‘We saw the helicopter pass very low over Ulswater and wondered how it managed to get through the mist at the top of the pass. Mystery resolved. Great footage.’
Speaking today, Brian said: ‘We were excited if anything, the kids loved it. It was an amazing sight.’
The unmarked blue helicopter of the ‘Blue Thunder’ unit lands on London Bridge after the London Bridge terror attack
The helicopter looks similar to one that was dispatched as part of the ‘Blue Thunder’ unit after the London Bridge terror attack.
The elite special forces unit can be scrambled at a moment’s notice and rehearses terror scenes and extreme scenarios for months.
It is nicknamed after its unmarked blue helicopter.
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