Baffled driver captures photo of the ‘devil’ crossing the road

USA:  The hideous creature, complete with leathery wings and horns, was seen swooping over a golf-course in the US.

And Dave Black, who snapped the mysterious beast says it may be been the notorious New Jersey Devil.

The devil has been a folklore story for two centuries in the state, and claims have continued throughout those 200 years.

An investigator for NJ.com took a close look at this image.

Mr Black, of Little Egg Harbor Township, told reporters he was driving home from his security guard job in Atlantic City when he saw what he thought was a llama running in and out of the trees lining the road.

He said: “I was just driving past the golf course in Galloway on Route 9 and had to shake my head a few times when I thought I saw a llama.

"If that wasn't enough, then it spread out leathery wings and flew off over the golf course."

Mr Black said he grabbed his mobile and fired off some quick pictures, but only one emerged with anything remotely meaningful.

He told the investigator: “Either my mind is playing tricks on me or I just saw the Jersey Devil.”

He added: “I thought I'd send it in for you to share.

"I'm not looking for anything in return, just thought someone else could maybe explain this in a more rational way."

And he added: "Yes, I swear it's not Photoshopped or a staged thing.

"People have said it's fake, but it's not.

"I'm honestly just looking for an explanation for what I saw."

Mr Black said: “The mind plays tricks on you.

"A friend suggested that maybe it was an animal running and an owl grabbed it, the photo being a combination of them.

"That's still not my first instinct, but I don't know how to explain it otherwise.

"I think I saw a large, flying mammal about the size of a deer."

The reporter said: “Being a paranormal investigator, I'm very sceptical and need proof before I believe in anything that could be considered paranormal.

"The photo, if it truly has not been messed with or wasn't set up, is quite interesting.

“You can clearly see wings on the creature's back and horns on its head.

"Its feet are cloven and the fur is dark brown.

“And it's obviously off the ground.

“I don't see any wires or string holding it up like a piñata.

"However, what is it?"

The site also carried a 17 second video that claims to be the New Jersey Devil in flight from Emily Martin, and it asks: “Jersey Devil or elaborate Halloween prank?”