CUFORN Bulletin - Vol 09 No 02 - 1988 - Mar-Apr

Magazine Overview

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 2
Date: March-April, 1988
Publisher: Canadian U.F.O. Research Network
Country: Canada
Price: $3.25

This issue of the CUFORN Bulletin delves into several significant UFO cases and related topics, featuring detailed investigations, witness testimonies, and analysis of physical evidence. The cover highlights a drawing of a UFO sighting and the magazine's motto: "Crescat scientia vita excolatur (Where knowledge increases, life is ennobled)."

Toronto CE1: 'Repeater' Refuses Hypnosis

This article by Lawrence J. Fenwick details a close encounter with two UFOs that occurred in Toronto, Ontario, on March 11, 1988. The observers, Deborah Theaker (25, actress and scriptwriter) and her friend Darren Boyce (24, electrician), reported seeing flickering lights and a large, luminous "headlight" object. Deborah stated this was not an isolated event, as UFO sightings had seemingly followed her throughout Canada. The incident occurred less than a kilometer from Lake Ontario. After the sighting, they contacted the Metropolitan Toronto Police, who referred them to Downsview Air Force Base. Staff Corporal McKay provided CUFORN's contact information. Deborah, who had recently returned from Australia after watching a TV special on the Nullarbor Plains CE2, was initially skeptical but became a believer after this event.

Deborah described the object as "large oblong" with flickering lights, possibly red, white, and blue. She also noted a "headlight" in the sky that pulsed and seemed to communicate with the larger object. The incident occurred around 1:30 or 1:45 a.m. Deborah's sister advised her to wake Darren, and both observed the phenomenon. She recalled a dream the previous night about "something coming to get me." Darren described the object as hovering beyond the houses across the street, appearing circular with pulsing lights that moved west. The observation lasted until approximately 2:20 a.m. when police arrived. Investigators Harry Tokarz and Joe Muskat found no physical traces at the scene. Deborah, who has a congenital hearing defect, was identified as a 'repeater' of UFO experiences, having had previous sightings since childhood, including a circular object in 1976. She also reported a Caesarian birth scar despite never being pregnant, and an incident involving "dried-up kidney beans" on her brother's bed.

An attempt to investigate further through regressive hypnosis with Dr. David Gotlib was declined by Deborah due to a prior negative experience with an amateur hypnotist and fear of what she might uncover.

Government Communications Director Sees UFO in Toronto

Another Toronto sighting, reported by Lawrence J. Fenwick, involves a woman identified as "Shelley Wells," a Director of Communications for an Ontario Government Ministry. On March 18, 1988, at 7 p.m., she observed a strange object hovering outside her 44th-floor apartment. The object was described as a charcoal grey metallic device, 15-20 feet in diameter, with black "pipes" hanging from each end. It had sharp edges and was near high-tension power lines and a hydro-electric substation. She waited two months to report the sighting due to disbelief. The UFO reacted to her movement by moving east and ascending rapidly. She estimated it was no more than ten feet from her window. The total observation lasted 15 seconds. Shelley is a former Air Canada stewardess and has a connection to high-level intelligence figures through her male friend's father.

Lead Found in Light-Weight Fragment

This section details the analysis of a small piece of material obtained by abductee Betty Dagenais in 1966. The material, described as hard, pinkish-orange, and light-weight, was analyzed in 1968 and found to be a phenolic or polymeric plastic similar to that used in aircraft undercarriages. It is heat-set, has high density, and cannot be melted. Initial analysis was conducted by George D. Hathaway at the Ontario Science Centre and the University of Toronto. A scanning electron microscope revealed elements including lead, molybdenum, and "kryptonite" (shades of Superman), with possible traces of actinium and arsenic. The article poses the question of whether such a plastic was used in aircraft in 1966, suggesting that if not, the material might not be man-made.

Initial Investigation Results Revealed in Mundrabilla, Australia CE2 Report

This article by Lawrence J. Fenwick compiles information from various sources, including the MUFON UFO Journal, regarding an incident on January 20, 1988, near Mundrabilla on the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia. The Knowles family, driving from Perth to Melbourne, reported their blue 1984 Ford Telstar was lifted into the air by a UFO. This caused a tire to burst, luggage to disappear from the roof, and indentation marks to appear on the roof. The UFO allegedly shook the car, deposited it back on the road, and showered it with a powdery ash. Their voices reportedly became distorted, and Mrs. Faye Knowles received a red blotch on her hand after touching a "spongy" substance on the UFO's surface. The case involved 72 people and was under investigation by multiple UFO groups.

Four vehicles witnessed the event, but one driver did not come forward. The Knowles family, including sons Sean, Patrick, and Wayne, were in the car. Other witnesses included truck drivers John de Jong and Graham Henley. A tuna fishing boat, the Empress Lady, also reported a similar UFO sighting nearby, causing speech distortion among the crew. Anthony Monte Luke of Amdel (Australian Mineral Development Laboratory) analyzed the car, finding ash consistent with disintegrating brake linings and no signs of radioactivity. The blown-out tire was deemed unusual due to a lack of wear and tear. The indentations on the roof were noted as being too widely spaced to be from a rollover.

Sean Knowles described a "weird feeling" and a near collision. He stated the UFO chased them, lifted the car, and caused them to feel as if the object had control. The car's radio cut out during the incident. After the car was dropped, a tire blew out. The family hid in the scrub and later found no trace of the tire iron or jack left behind. Footprints and dog paw prints were found at the site.

Mrs. Knowles described hearing a "clunking sound" when the UFO landed on the roof and felt tormented for about an hour and a half. She questioned how a back tire could blow out at high speed without the car rolling. She also reported a "smoke stuff" entering the car, making them feel "silly" and that "something was going into our heads." The family appeared distressed in a TV interview. Mrs. Knowles stated the UFO felt "warm and spongy" and smelled like "dead bodies." Senior Sergeant Jim Furnell of Ceduna police treated the reports seriously due to multiple witnesses, summarizing the event as authentic: a light object followed a truck, turned, caught up, landed on the roof, shook the car violently, pressed it back down, blew a tire, and showered it with ash. The fishermen's sighting, occurring around the same time, supported the Knowles' account. Furnell noted that Mrs. Knowles did not initially mention touching the UFO or the luggage on the roof, which cast doubt on the origin of the roof dents.

APPO folds as co-founder dies

The issue reports the death of Coral Lorenzen, a leading UFO expert and author, and announces that APRO (Aerial Phenomena Research Organization), which she co-founded with her husband Leslie James Lorenzen in 1952, is now defunct. The memorial service details and a brief obituary are provided. Coral Lorenzen estimated that APRO had received at least 150,000 UFO reports over the years. She noted that the fear of being labeled a "kook" inhibited reporting. Common UFO shapes identified by her included disc, sphere, egg, triangle, cigar, and doughnut. She also mentioned reports of UFOs taking samples and picking objects from garbage dumps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The CUFORN Bulletin consistently focuses on detailed case investigations, witness testimonies, and the analysis of physical evidence related to UFO sightings. The publication appears to maintain a serious, investigative approach, encouraging readers to contribute information. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging the need for credible evidence and careful investigation, as seen in the cautious approach to the Mundrabilla case and the reluctance to jump to conclusions regarding hypnosis.

Title: CUFORN BULLETIN
Issue: MARCH-APRIL, 1988
Volume: 1988
Publisher: CUFORN
Country: Australia
Language: English

This issue of the CUFORN BULLETIN details a significant UFO sighting that occurred on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, involving the Knowles family. The report includes witness testimonies, police statements, and various scientific and skeptical explanations.

The Knowles Family Incident

Patrick Knowles described an incident where their car seemed to be affected by something on top of it, causing the car to smoke and the dogs inside to go crazy. He stated, "The car began to smoke more or less. It felt like something was on the car. I couldn't really explain it. The dogs in the car started going crazy. I wound up the windows and the car began to smoke up inside. It smelt like dead bodies or gas."

Truck driver Henley, who was behind the Knowles car, reported seeing a bright white light hovering above the car headlights. He stated, "It was hovering and just flickering in and out between the trees. I had only just been talking to Porky on the radio, but once I saw that light it all went dead."

De Jong, another truck driver, initially advised Anne, who was driving the Knowles' car, to ignore them due to the dangers of stopping for strangers. He later encountered the family at the Mundrabilla roadhouse, where they were in a state of shock. De Jong described the car as smelling like "Bakelite or just like as if you'd blown a fuse" and noted four dents on the car, as if it had been picked up by a magnet. He also observed black ash on the car and found no indication that a swerved tire had caused the issue.

Anne, the driver, reported no unusual effects or sounds during the time she was driving.

Police and Investigation

Sergeant Fred Longley of Ceduna, who took the report, titled his report "Incident on the Nullarbor Highway." He considered it the most unusual UFO report he had received, stating that he was normally skeptical but keeping an open mind. He described the Knowles family as "whitefaced, shaking, obviously distressed" and "in a 1,000 percent worse state than other people who've made UFO reports to me." He noted that the car still had black ash or dust on it, even on the inside, which was unusual for the sandy terrain. Longley added, "It's a bit like the Himalayan Yeti. Some say it exists, others say it doesn't. Who knows?"

De Jong had driven to Perth and reported the incident to the media, who then alerted the police. Police confirmed that the car had damage consistent with the alleged incident, with marks on the road and ash found scattered around the area. However, Sergeant Dennis Sutton of Ceduna stated, "There was no evidence of black ash at the site."

"Luggage of the gods?"

A significant detail noted was the disappearance of suitcases that were tied to a rack on the roof of the car. The incident occurred in clear weather with no moon, and stars were visible, with no signs of lightning.

A spokesman for the Royal Australian Air Force base at Edinburgh stated they were unaware of any military aircraft in the area at the time. Police at Eucla were unable to locate the exact spot where the encounter allegedly took place.

Ray Brooke of the UFO Research Centre in Adelaide expressed conviction that the family had an authentic experience and hoped the physical nature of the sighting might yield more information.

Media Coverage and Theories

The media extensively covered the case, with major articles appearing in Australian newspapers and reports by UPI, Reuter, and Associated Press. The Ceduna police contacted UFOR(SA) after the event. The Knowles family subsequently made a deal with the Channel Seven Network for a television special, reportedly receiving $5,000 for the rights for a three-month period. The Nine Network later made a higher bid, but it was too late. Channel Seven was also negotiating with an American TV producer for U.S. rights to a TV movie.

Several theories were proposed to explain the incident:

• Ball Lightning: Suggested by space engineer Matthew James.
• Falling, Disintegrating Meteorite: Proposed by Glen Moore, a research physicist, who noted similarities to the 1969 Murchison meteorite fall, which also involved black material, a peculiar smell, and a shock wave.
• Severe Electrical Storm: Suggested by Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger of Flinders University.
• Distorted View of the Sun: Believed by Allen Brunt, former head of the South Australia Bureau of Meteorology, who famously stated, "I'll go and jump in the lake if that dust they found turns out to be some sort of extraterrestrial material."

Debunkers suggested that the dust, banging, and feeling of being lifted could be attributed to the car tipping over and landing back on its wheels, with the family confusing events in their panic. They posited that a highly-charged pocket of air could create effects like engine cut-out, strange lights, car shaking, and ash. A meteorite piece hitting the car could cause a shock wave and a smell of burning.

Charles Morgan of the Sydney Observatory suggested the family might have lost control of their car during a meteorite shower, leading to a spin. He stated, "Either they went into fright and went into a spin without realizing it or it is an unexplained phenomenon." He added that a large, carbonaceous meteorite shower could explain the ash and smells, but not the car being picked up unless they drove off the road.

Colin Norris noted that the Nullarbor Plain has produced more UFO sightings than any other area in Australia. The South Australia police sent their investigation report to Western Australia.

Paul Norman questioned the meteorite theory, asking, "They watched it fly off. What sort of meteorite does that?"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue highlights the persistent mystery of UFO sightings in remote areas like the Nullarbor Plain. It presents a range of witness accounts, official investigations, and scientific/skeptical analyses, reflecting a common approach in UFO literature to explore unexplained phenomena while acknowledging the possibility of misidentification or natural explanations. The extensive media coverage and the Knowles family's subsequent media deal underscore the public fascination with such events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting different viewpoints without definitively concluding on the nature of the event, as exemplified by Sergeant Longley's quote and the inclusion of various theories and counter-theories.