Lake Waikere yesterday

[flyjoe180]

On returning from Hamilvegas yesterday at about 4PM, we heard news that an aircraft had gone down in or near Lake Waikere. Some aircraft out of Ardmore were searching around for a crash site or wreckage, but it seems no aircraft are reported overdue or missing, and the people who saw it described an explosion and fireball.

www.stuff.co.nz/3944097a11.html

Seems it could have been a comet or something, the search for a mising aircraft has been called off.

Mysterious indeed. So what was it these peolpe saw? What are the chances of being hit by space crap falling through the atmosphere?

[Dave Homewood]

Strange indeed. If not a meteorite, perhaps it could have been St Elmo's Fire?

Here's an update
www.stuff.co.nz/3945453a11.html

Waikato fireball still a mystery
Waikato Times | Tuesday, 30 January 2007

Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a bird striking a plane?

The exploding fireball which reportedly crashed to earth in or around Lake Waikare, near Te Kauwhata, on Sunday afternoon has so far proved a mystery.

It might have been the most exciting event to occur in Te Kauwhata since the last police booze sting, but witness Grace Walters could only conclude it was "one of those things".

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand was alerted after eyewitnesses saw a ball of flames going down over the lake and heard an explosion.

However, after helicopters and rescue boats searched the area and fire services talked to farmers with nearby properties the search was called off.

"I saw it drop down, but couldn't see it hit the water for the trees," Mrs Walters said.

"It's one of those things – a mystery."

No aircraft had been reported overdue and police had not received calls from anyone missing friends or family.

Steve Calveley, president of the Auckland Astronomical Society, said it could have been a meteorite.

"An awful lot get reported but few get found," he said.

"It is pretty rare that someone can pinpoint where they land."