NUFORC Sighting 50478

Occurred: 1955-08-08 01:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2006-05-08 19:12 Pacific
Duration: several hrs.
No of observers: 1

Location: Independence, MO, USA

Shape: Fireball

Flaming ball of light making right angle turns seen from front porch on a hot summer's night.

It was a very hot summer evening and seeing as how we did not have air conditioning my older sister, younger brother and I were permitted to sleep on our front porch, since it was cooler than our bedrooms.

Since this occurred so many years ago, the actual year could have been 1954 or might have even been 1956. In any case, I was 8 or 9 years old at the time.

Around 1:00 A.M. in the morning, I had to get up and use the bathroom. I know it was around 1:00 A.M. because our clock struck the hour before I went back out onto the front porch.

As I was settling back down to go to sleep, I heard what could be likened to the sound of an 18 wheeler when it shifts down to a lower gear, and there was also a hissing sound like steam.

I sat up and since I thought it was a truck coming down our little side road, I wanted to see that unusual sight.

Imagine my shock when instead of a truck, there in the sky was a fireball. It was skimming along just above the trees lining a creek on the other side of the road. It made a sharp right angle turn, and after it moved off perhaps 75 feet or so, it looked like it was dripping something flammable from beneath it.

Suddenly it stopped. And just as I thought to myself...."uh oh, they see me"....

The next thing I remember is sitting on the front porch, and somehow the craft had already moved off some distance. I tried to wake up my sister, but by the time I got her to wake up, it was out of sight.

The strange thing about this whole ordeal, was that it was already beginning to get light outside when I watched this craft move off. I went from 1:00 A.M. to daylight without any memory.

I told my mom about what happened, and she only suggested that I not tell anyone about what had occurred...and I haven't until now.

I am now married, retired, and no longer live in Missouri, and I don't see where this information is going to hurt anyone; and perhaps someone will find it useful or interesting. If not, that is okay too.

NUFORC Note:

Witness indicates that the date of the event is approximate. PD

Posted 2006-05-15