UFO alert: Welsh police helicopter spots 'unusual aircraft'

Agence France-Presse

LONDON - UFO
enthusiasts got a
boost Friday when
Welsh police
confirmed that one of
their helicopter crews
had spotted an
"unusual aircraft"
flying over Cardiff
earlier this month.

An investigation into
the sighting had been
launched, they said.

The police
clarification came
after tabloid
newspaper The Sun
reported a UFO had
"attacked" a police
helicopter, following it
for several miles over
the Bristol Channel.

"The pilot banked
sharply to avoid being
hit, then launched into
a high-speed pursuit.
But he was forced to
give up the chase as
the helicopter's fuel
ran low -- and the UFO
escaped," the tabloid
reported.

The helicopter crew
had described the
object as "flying
saucer-shaped and
circled by flashing
lights," it added.

That description was
rather more dramatic
than the official
police version, which
said: "South Wales
Police can confirm its
air support unit
sighted an unusual
aircraft.

"This was reported to
the relevant
authorities for their
investigation," they
added in a brief
statement, avoiding
the use of the term
"UFO", or Unidentified
Flying Object.

At the time of the
incident, the
helicopter with three
men on board was
waiting to land at the
St Athan RAF base
near Cardiff. The
sighting reportedly
took place at 00:40
am (23:40 GMT) on
June 8.

South Wales Police
denied there was a
pursuit and indicated
that the helicopter
crew was never in any
danger.

A Ministry of Defense
spokesman said it had
heard nothing about
the incident.

"But it is certainly not
advisable for police
helicopters to go
chasing what they
think are UFOs," he
added.

Subscribe to us now! Just go to "Subscribers' Area"