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THREE deer were able to gallop across an RAF base’s runway as two fighter jets were about to take off — sparking an investigation.

The lively wild animals were caught on camera as they dashed between the taxiing Typhoons, which only narrowly missed them.

 Deer jump in front of two taxiing Typhoons at an RAF base
Deer jump in front of two taxiing Typhoons at an RAF base

The £80million aircraft are part of the quick reaction alert team used to respond to hijackings, terror incidents and airspace incursions by Russian bombers.

Top brass at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire have now launched an inquiry into how the wild creatures were able to get through the perimeter fence amid fears it had been left vulnerable. Coningsby is one of the country’s highest security RAF bases because of its role in rapid response.

Witness James Feneley, who caught the dramatic scene on camera, said: “I was quite shocked to see the three roe deer.

“They must have got through a fence somehow just as the Typhoons were starting to taxi out to take off.

“I was in the right place at the right time. I bet the pilot had a shock.”

James added that security staff later helped the deer off the base.

 Two roe deer gallop towards the runway at RAF Coningsby
Two roe deer gallop towards the runway at RAF Coningsby
 Another one appears after them as the first two get in front of the jet's wheels
Another one appears after them as the first two get in front of the jet's wheels
 The wild animals dash between the two fighter jets
The wild animals dash between the two fighter jets
 It looks like the deer marginally make it past the moving jets
It looks like the deer marginally make it past the moving jets
 The deer speed out of the runway as the fighter jets are about to take-off
The deer speed out of the runway as the fighter jets are about to take-off
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