PIERRE, SD — A South Dakota police officer came within feet of a lightning strike while chasing a suspect on foot, and a body camera recorded the moment in real time.
The flash hit the ground just meters away from the officer and others nearby. Despite the dramatic close call, no one was injured.
Bodycam shows the instant the strike hit the ground
The footage captured an eerie burst of light as the bolt struck close to the officer during the pursuit. The scene unfolded quickly, with the strike landing beside the area where officers were moving.
The video provides a clear look at how suddenly the weather event happened. It also shows how little warning there was before the lightning hit.
No injuries reported after the close call
Authorities said the strike did not hurt the officer or anyone else involved in the chase. The account describes the moment as a fortunate escape during an already tense foot pursuit.
Lightning can pose a serious danger outdoors, especially when people are exposed in open areas. In this case, the officer and others avoided harm even though the bolt landed extremely close by.
South Dakota chase turns into an unexpected weather scare
The incident stood out because it happened in the middle of police activity rather than during a storm-related emergency. What began as a suspect chase briefly turned into a lightning scare.
With the strike captured on bodycam, the footage became the most striking part of the encounter. The recording shows just how close the officer came to being hit.
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