[meteorite-list] Search Continues for Mystery Object in South Africa

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue May 23 19:11:47 2006
Message-ID: <200605231621.JAA03173_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/newsst/newsst1148375542.aspx

ECoast 'object' search to continue
Sunday Times
May 23, 2006

The search for an unidentified object which crashed into the sea at Port
Shepstone on Saturday will resume over the weekend as there were no
bodies to search for, the National Sea Rescue Institute said.
 
"It is unlikely that we will go out to search before the weekend. The
NSRI's core business is rescuing people and here there is no loss of
life involved," said NSRI Shelley Beach Station Commander Eddie Noyons.
 
The search for the unidentified object began after witnesses reported
that an object, possibly an aircraft, had crashed into the sea behind
the breaker line off-shore of the Port Shepstone High School.
 
Police, rescue craft and a fixed wing aircraft were alerted to the scene
to investigate.
 
"Following a full-scale search of the area covering 12 square nautical
miles nothing had been found. There are no reports of activity in the
area that may be related to this incident and there are no aircraft
reported to be overdue or missing," said Noyons.
 
He said numerous witnesses - including teachers and pupils attending a
sports event at the high school, and other bystanders including local
fishermen - were convinced they had seen an aircraft go into the water,
including seeing smoke and a water plume.
 
Interviews with the witnesses revealed that some also reported seeing
flames.
 
"Some reported seeing something, an unidentified object, splash into the
sea causing a ripple effect of waves, " Noyons said.
 
Due to the number of witnesses with similar reports, it was presumed
that weather activity in the area at the time might have given the
impression of something falling into the sea.
 
Noyons said rescue workers were unable to find oil slicks, petrol
spillage or any signs or wreckage during the search on Saturday.
 
"We are not sure what it was as we are still unaware of any missing
aircraft, but will continue the search at the weekend. Its probably a
small meteorite or something. The weekend will be a nice time for
diving," said Noyons.
Received on Tue 23 May 2006 12:21:03 PM PDT