Columbia firefighter hit by cicada, gets black eye

As many Southerners know, cicadas are relatively harmless insects that hatch during the summer and be very loud at night.

But as one Columbia firefighter recently found out, they can also pack quite a punch.

Brick Lewis, a Columbia Fire Department spokesman, said Senior Firefighter Boone Rostad was responding to a call of a stranded boater on the Congaree River when he was struck in the eye by a cicada.

The hit caused Rostad’s eye to bruise and swell forcing him to be admitted to the hospital, but he was released shortly after in order to return to his shift.

Fellow firefighters gave Rostad an honorary eye patch and special glasses for his full dedication and service.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Columbia firefighter hit by cicada, gets black eye."