A North Carolina motorist experienced an extraordinary wildlife encounter when a bald eagle dropped a cat carcass directly onto her vehicle's windshield while driving near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Unbelievable 911 Call
The incident occurred Wednesday morning along U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, near Bryson City, approximately 65 miles southwest of Asheville. The unidentified driver immediately contacted emergency services, beginning her call with an understandable disclaimer: "You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield."
The dispatcher's calm response provided immediate reassurance: "OK. I do believe you, honestly," followed by laughter. The driver confirmed that another witness had seen the bizarre event unfold, describing their shared astonishment at what they'd witnessed.
Details of the Bizarre Incident
The driver escaped injury despite the cat carcass shattering the passenger side of her front windshield. It remains unclear whether the eagle accidentally lost its grip on the feline or deliberately discarded it because the bird of prey didn't find it appetizing.
During the recorded 911 conversation, the dispatcher asked the crucial question: "Is the cat still alive?" The caller confirmed the cat was deceased but noted it had landed on the roadside rather than inside her vehicle. "Ok, I have to ask just to make sure," the dispatcher explained, demonstrating proper emergency protocol.
Aftermath and Response
After obtaining the driver's location, the dispatcher arranged for Highway Patrol to visit the scene and complete an official report. The exchange between caller and dispatcher continued with the driver remarking "Well, that's terrifying," to which the dispatcher responded with more nervous laughter and a simple "Yeah."
The dispatcher offered some perspective on unusual emergency calls, noting "I've heard crazier" when processing the extraordinary nature of the incident. This remarkable wildlife encounter serves as a reminder of the unexpected hazards that can occur when driving through natural habitats frequented by large birds of prey.
