Turbine insurers dismiss UFO claims

by Stevie Smith - Jan 9 2009, 06:10

UFO enthusiasts may still be drooling on themselves after a wind turbine in the UK was reportedly struck by an alien spacecraft, but their excitement could be short-lived thanks to an explanation offered up by a wind farm insurance group.

According to Fraser McLachlan, the CEO of GCube, damage sustained by the 290ft turbine in Lincolnshire was likely the result of a mechanical failure brought on by recent icy conditions experienced across the country.

“We see things five or six times a year that look like this,” said Mr. McLachlan in a Times Online report. “It does happen that a blade will sometimes just come off a machine.”

Despite GCube’s pragmatic opinion on the mysterious event, its does not explain the dozens of eyewitnesses reports that described seeing fiery lights moving in the sky above the Conisholme wind farm several hours before the turbine was damaged.

Adding some weight to those reports, a respected local councilman has come forward claiming that he too saw something highly unusual hovering over the densely populated wind farm.

Robert Palmer (66), the leader of Lindsey District Council and a member of Lincolnshire Council, said he witnessed a bright white light with a glowing orange edge while he was driving past the wind farm early on Sunday morning.

With media reaction fuelling speculation of a genuine UFO incident, wind farm operator Ecotricity has said it has launched “a thorough investigation into what happened” in order to ascertain how one of its turbines had a 65ft blade torn clean off and a second mangled beyond repair.

“An engineer has been on site since it happened… and is carrying out a sort of forensic investigation.” said a company spokesperson.

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