May 7th 10:30am PST UPDATE:
We’ve located an eyewitness to the event. They report that it was a “ball of fire in the air” and that it “moving downward” at a 45 degree angle and seemed to “slow and drop off steeply” at about a 75 degree angle during the last part of the event. The witness also reports that it was “extremely bright orange” and reports the direction of travel to be from the SE to the NNW to the south of Highway 62 that runs between Fort Gibson and Zeb. No breakup of the fireball is reported.
He said the fireball lasted about 4 to 5 seconds but he saw no smoke. In addition he reported that he heard no sound because he was driving in a big diesel truck at the time and it may have drowned out the noise. He also said it appeared the fireball landed 6-8 miles away where it disappeared behind some trees to the SW of his location.
We’ve got a second witnesses contact info but have yet to interview him. Second hand reports say he saw the event from his front porch.
Again, this is still as of yet UNCONFRMED that this is a meteor fireball. It is possible that it was an aircraft crash.
If you have witnessed this event you are encouraged to call your local law enforcement office immediately.
You can also report your sighting via our FIREBALL HOTLINE at 904-236-5394 and report it immediately. We are in contact with multiple law enforcement agencies and will relay any information we receive to them.
More to come…
————————————————————————
May 7th 10:00am PST UPDATE:
2 County Sherriff’s Offices, the State Highway Patrol Office, and multiple other agencies are reported to have searched an area south of Tahlequah OK on May 5th for wreckage of a possible helicopter or plane crash in the area. This speculation came after a fireball was reportedly seen to fall in the area followed by smoke in the air. After intense investigation, interviews and speaking with multiple agencies regarding this event, it’s clear that there were only a few witnesses to the fireball event. We have tried locating these witnesses but to no avail. We have called every agency in the area but no other witness reports have been uncovered.
The plot thickens… We spoke with one official from a law enforcement office who stated they are “taking this very seriously”. If there is a plane or helicopter crash in the area, it’s very important that anyone who witnessed this fireball report this event immediately to their local law enforcement agency.
It was “rainy & stormy and cloudy” the day of the reported fireball. The time is yet unconfirmed but one agency official said it was around 3:30pm on May 5th that the calls came in, and a witness confirms that it was between 3:30pm and 4:00pm local time that he saw the fireball.
We’ve narrowed the area down to South of Fort Gibson according to reports. No one has yet confirmed a plane or helicopter crash. We were told that law enforcement agencies and civilian searchers were dispatched and searched an area near Cherokee Game Refuge.
————————————————————————
7pm Tuesday May 5th.
A fireball and smoke has been reported in the Tahlequah, OK area.According to the report authorities from local and state agencies were sent to an area where the fireball and smoke was reported. It was thought that perhaps an aircraft had crashed in the area, but after and initial search authorities didn’t find anything.
It’s too early to speculate about what this fireball was. Details are sketchy, and we’re awaiting more information from local authorities. It’s possible this was a meteor fireball but it’s unknown at this time. Further investigation is underway.
Updates to follow…
If you’d like to read the original report: http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/local/local_story_126101948.html
