Report to RCAF: Sighting of Unusual Objects, Surrey, B.C., November 27, 1953

On December 1, 1953, a report was submitted to the RCAF Station at Sea Island, Vancouver Airport, regarding a sighting of seven unidentified objects on the night of November 27, 1953. The observers, a research assistant with the Lower Mainland Regional Planning Board and his wife, a former graduate assistant in geography and geology at the University of British Columbia, were located at the junction of the B.C.E.R. railway tracks and Burkhart Road in the Municipality of Surrey, British Columbia. Between 10:00 pm and 10:05 pm, the witnesses observed seven objects in the eastern sky, spread over approximately 120 degrees. Six of the objects appeared as bright lights behind a heavy bank of clouds, while the seventh was lower and more distinct. This seventh object was described as a circular, brilliant silver disc emitting a bright blue-white light. The witnesses noted that the object appeared to be at the base of the cloud cover, with wisps of cloud passing over it, creating a halo effect. The objects remained stationary relative to the ground, exhibiting only vertical movement, and produced no sound. One object was observed to descend and brighten as it neared the ground. The witnesses checked with the Weather Bureau and were informed that weather balloons are not released during rain. The RCAF investigation, documented by Flying Officer H.B. Taylor, confirmed that no aircraft were in the vicinity and that no weather balloons had been released. The military concluded that the objects were not aircraft, and no further identification or interception action was taken due to the delay in receiving the report.