COMMENT: Conjecture only, but the close approach of planet Mars may well figure in the first sighting. The second observation is much more interesting, as the object was close enough to be heard in passing. It is unlikely to be related to any RAF or USAF aircraft activity in the area at that time due to the present unusual circumstances involving hoof and mouth disease. Shortly after the disease was officially acknowledged, all low-level aircraft activity was halted throughout the UK and this order remains in effect.
G-fs


UK Triangular UFO Formation Blots Out Stars

[Original headline: UFO spotted in night sky]
A UFO was spotted over West Wiltshire on Wednesday night, June 13.

An unidentified craft was reported by two sets of witnesses over Semington and Trowbridge between 10.20pm and 11.10pm.

Eyewitness Roger White saw a bright light in Semington.

"It seemed to be moving slowly," he said. "At first I thought it was a planet but it was too bright.

"I think the RAF may have gone for a look because I saw a strobing light but when I looked back seconds later it had disappeared.

"It must have taken off at an incredible speed because it was a dot on the horizon.

A strange craft was reported 50 minutes later at around 11.10pm by four people in Trowbridge.

Witness Nichola Winney said the object featured three lights in a triangle formation.

She said it blocked out the stars as it passed overhead, making a soft droning sound as it moved.

Mr White, a veteran UFO spotter, said the object in the sky was the genuine article.

"It was definitely a UFO and it was an incredible thing to see. It was a really exciting moment."

The Ministry of Defence was not available for comment.


• Story originally published by •
Wiltshire Gazette / England - June 15 2001