NSW: Unidentified object crashes into dam in nthn NSW

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1999
NSW: Unidentified object crashes into dam in nthn NSW

By Karen Michelmore and Sharon Labi

SYDNEY, Dec 9 AAP - The northern New South Wales town of Guyra is abuzz with rumours
after an unidentified object crashed into the local dam.

Punters have been hedging bets as to the source of the 90 square metre crater caused
by an object which locals believe fell out of the sky.

Authorities said it crashed into the water supply dam on the outskirts of the town,
flattening reed beds, some time between Monday and midday yesterday.

Divers from Sydney had been called to determine the size and nature of the mystery object.

Guyra Shire Council printed leaflets overnight warning residents to conserve water
and urging them not to water gardens, wash cars or use dishwashers.

Tests of the water for toxins and radioactive material were clear.

Unexplained happenings are nothing new to the close-knit community of 2,200, nestled
between Glenn Innes and Armidale, beside the New England Highway.

Two F1-11s have crashed there in the past 15 years and there is the legend of the Guyra
Ghost, blamed for inexplicable occurrences during the 1920s, local real estate agent David
Bearup said.

David Elton of Guyra Park Motel said most local townspoeople thought the object was
shrapnel from space.

Riley's Bakery owner Audrey Riley said residents were concerned about water supplies.

The town's water supply has been cut off until further tests are carried out and the
supply is deemed safe.

Ms Riley said the town stopped pumping water yesterday and the small tank of reserves
might only hold out until tonight.

Combined with the statewide bread strike by 1,000 Buttercup bread makers, Ms Riley
said townsfolk were doing it tough.

"Out of my 400 loaves, I only got 60 loaves and I'm the only vendor in town," she said.

"So we're having a pretty rough trot today.

"But we've made sure that hospitals and stuff get their bread."

Ms Riley said the annual presentation night at Guyra High School was interrrupted last
night for an announcement on the mystery object by police and the mayor.

She said sirens could be heard throughout the town about 5.30pm (AEDT) yesterday.

"The mood is absolutely electric," Mr Bearup said.

"Everyone is saying what's happening."

With the town's water supply cut off, locals are calling for a relaxed approach to
alternative drinks.

"The town's water supply has been cut off, we are asking for a breathalyser free day,"

Mr Bearup said.

"There isn't anything else to drink. We have all got to go down to the pub."

While no one in town actually saw anything, Mr Bearup received a report from a man
in a nearby town who saw something in the sky on Tuesday night.

"The mood is one of inquisitiveness," he said.

"There is no explanation of any sonic booms, no one heard anything or saw anything.

"But by the end of the week, everyone will have seen a million things."

Internationally renowned concert pianist and local Roger Woodward said the object was
most likely to be a meteor.

"People are really concerned more about the need to get the water supply checked out,
although there are plenty of other beverages," he added.

Mr Bearup said locals had composed a poem in honour of the event.

Here are a few lines:

"An object from the sky,

what's all the bloody fuss.

UFOs in Guyra

are nothing new to us.

The town's abuzz with rumours,

Are there aliens from afar?

The dogs cower in their kennels,

and locals crowd the bar."

AAP km/sal/tsm/jm/bwl

KEYWORD: DAM LEAD

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