Meteorite shower sparks frantic 999 calls over 'flares and plane crashes'

A suspected meteorite shower over Scotland prompted a flurry of 999 calls from worried members of the public.

Concerned callers from Airdrie to Arbroath likened the lights they saw in the sky to flares, fireworks and even a plane crash.

Coastguard and police up and down the country were inundated with reports from around 11pm on Friday.

A spokesman for Forth Coastguard said: "From talking to other stations and to the RAF it's almost certainly meteorite activity.

"Calls came in from all over the place, thick and fast.

"We've had people report possible plane crashes, and others the weirdest fireworks they've ever seen.

"Folk just haven't known how to describe what they've seen.

"It's quite extraordinary."

The spokesman said reports had come from Crail, Johnshaven and Arbroath.

Clyde Coastguard said it had received a "wee flurry" of calls reporting flares seen in Drummore, Airdrie and Brodick on Arran.

A spokeswoman said: "When we get it all over and at the same time then we attribute them to meteorites.

"There was meteorite activity forecast from September 15 to 21."

Shetland Coastguard said a report of a flare at 11.10pm at Duncansby Head near John O'Groats was thought to be part of the meteorite shower.

news