When driving along a misty country road in the Lake District there are a few things you might expect to see - a sheep, maybe a couple of crazy cyclists. One thing you certainly wouldn't think you'd spot is an extremely low-flying SAS helicopter.
But that's exactly what driver Brian Weatherall, a 45-year-old civil engineer from Durham, stumbled across while driving along the Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria with his family.
Advert
And even more incredibly, it was all captured on his dashcam.
The spooky footage shows Brian driving along the very misty road as a white Seat comes from the other direction flashing its lights.
Then, apparently out of nowhere, Brian slams on the brakes as he spots the looming, dark image of an SAS 'Blue Thunder' helicopter emerging from the mist, flying mere yards away from his car - so low that it almost skims the stone wall on the side of the road.
Advert
The helicopter is believed to belong to the secret service's Blue Thunder unit - one such helicopter was deployed to London Bridge after the terror attacks there and at Borough Market last June.
Obviously, flying at such low altitude and in such poor conditions isn't exactly recommended, but the special forces have to carry out manoeuvres to rehearse for responses to terror attacks. The possibility of having to fly in extreme conditions is possible should they be scrambled, which can happen at any time.
They are believed to use the unmarked blue helicopters - which got them their 'Blue Thunder' name - for missions in the UK.
Driver Brian said: "I just couldn't believe it, I've never seen anything like it.
Advert
"I was on holiday at the time and the roads were bad so I was taking it steady on the steep hill.
"It happened about 2pm and I had the whole family in the car, it really was quite something - and a lucky escape."
Speaking afterwards, Brian said it was 'pretty awesome' to witness such an event.
He added: "It does make you feel safe when you see how our forces can fly a helicopter."
Advert
He uploaded the footage to Facebook with the caption: "Ok I'll give way! Cumbria is full of surprises. Especially when the SAS are about."
It has been viewed over 35,000 times.
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: Viral, UK News, Interesting, Weird