Official News page 5

REAL LIFE NEWS: PLANET JUPITER MISTAKEN FOR DISTRESS FLARE

by Hazed

A lifeboat was called out to search for a possible vessel in distress off the coast of Tynemouth Longsands in the north of England after a member of the public called the lifeboat station to report seeing a flare.

But it turned out not to be a flare. It was the planet Jupiter.

Adrian Done, from Tynemouth RNLI, said, " As the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade spoke further to the member of the public it became apparent that the flares were in fact the planet Jupiter which is very low in the sky at this time of year, but was also partly covered by clouds which possibly gave it the appearance of a flare."

He added the further warning that, "The RNLI stresses that although this was a false alarm it was made with the best intentions, and urges anyone who thinks they've seen anyone possibly in distress at sea to do the same."

At least the caller didn't think it was a UFO!

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15165928

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