A police officer in the Hudson Valley is making national news after he accidentally shot himself in the chest while trying to flee a rabid fox.

Harold Nunuvero, 24, of the Ellenville Police Department was shot while responding to reports of a fox in the Village of Ellenville, Tuesday morning.

Ellenville Police Department Chief Philip Mattracion reports Nunuvero fled when the rabid fox ran towards him. The 24-year-old's foot got stuck as he tried to hop over a fence and his gun went off when he landed, according to NBC News.

Nunuvero was shot in the chest, but was wearing a bulletproof vest, police say.

"Without question" the bulletproof vest saved Nunuvero's life, Mattracion said, NBC News reports.

Another police officer shot and killed the fox, according to NBC.

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