Moose caused serious havoc on highways in Canada this week, according to officials. The large animals, which can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) and can stop a vehicle, were involved in collisions with two police cars north of Toronto since Wednesday.
One officer died and two others were seriously injured when their cars hit one moose late Thursday and another crossing a road in foggy weather shortly after 2 am (0600 GMT) Wednesday.
Signs warning of the danger of collisions with wild animals dot roads throughout the country. While collisions are not uncommon, deaths are rare — about 20 each year, according to Transport Canada.
The number of people across the country who reported hitting wild animals has climbed steadily each year to almost 30,000, but the last officer to die in such a crash was in the 1960s.
“We often have collisions with deer because there are large herds in southern parts of the country where most officers are posted, but moose collisions are incredibly rare,” said Sergeant Don Killens.
A funeral was held Friday for 29-year-old Constable Andrew Potts. The other two officers are still recovering after being airlifted to hospitals.
