The Tyler Shape-Shifting UFO Encounter: Truck Driver's 1973 Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon
In the early 1980s, John Timmerman embarked on a remarkable journey across the United States as a representative of the Center for UFO Studies. Over twelve years, he collected approximately 1,200 audio recordings of ordinary Americans sharing their extraordinary encounters with unexplained phenomena. These firsthand accounts from people of all walks of life provided a unique grassroots perspective on UFO experiences.
This vast collection of testimonies was eventually transcribed through the dedicated efforts of Katherine Deal, a schoolteacher from Lima, Ohio, and researcher Michael D. Swords. Their work culminated in the 2011 publication "Grassroots UFOs: Case Reports from the Center for UFO Studies." Among these accounts, the events of September 23, 1973, stand out as particularly compelling, featuring a truck driver's encounter outside Tyler, Texas with a shape-shifting aerial object that defied conventional explanation.
Key Takeaways
John Timmerman's twelve-year effort created an unprecedented archive of over 1,200 firsthand UFO encounter testimonies from across America.
The year 1973 represented a significant surge in reported paranormal encounters, including the notable Tyler, Texas incident involving a shape-shifting aerial object.
Unexplained phenomena continue to be reported in both rural areas and urban locations like Central Park, challenging conventional understanding of reality.
John Timmerman's UFO Research
John Timmerman, a dedicated member of the Center for UFO Studies, spent twelve years traveling across the United States from 1980 to 1992. During this period, he collected an impressive archive of firsthand accounts from people who had experienced unexplained phenomena. His meticulous work created a valuable repository of UFO encounter testimonies.
Traveling Exhibits and Public Outreach
Timmerman's nationwide tour featured informative exhibits and lectures that attracted thousands of visitors interested in sharing their personal experiences. He recorded each interview, eventually amassing approximately 1,200 audio tapes containing people's encounters with unexplained phenomena. Katherine Deal, a schoolteacher from Lima, Ohio with an interest in UFOs, volunteered to transcribe these extensive recordings.
Michael D. Swords also contributed to the transcription effort and later compiled many of these accounts in his 2011 book "Grassroots UFOs: Case Reports from the Center for UFO Studies." This publication preserved these testimonies for future researchers and enthusiasts.
Witness Testimonies and Encounters
One particularly notable case occurred on September 23, 1973—a year known for numerous paranormal incidents. A truck driver near Tyler, Texas observed what initially appeared to be a small Cub airplane that nearly caused a traffic accident. The object then hovered above trees and transformed into a cigar shape with lights.
The witness pulled over to observe the phenomenon more closely. The object changed again, taking on a rounded shape and displaying multicolored lights while emitting a distinct "loop loop loop" sound. A bright square light extended from the craft and moved toward the man, causing him considerable alarm.
![Table: Notable Elements of the Tyler, Texas Sighting (1973)]
Observation Description Time/Date 5:00 AM, September 23, 1973 Initial Form Small airplane appearance Transformations Cigar shape → Rounded shape → Triangle Sound Low "loop loop loop" thumping noise Size "Larger than a house" Witness Effect Possible blackout/missing time
The truck driver reported experiencing a blackout during the encounter. Upon regaining awareness, he found himself still standing outside his vehicle holding the door, despite his recollection of attempting to enter it. The witness later told Timmerman: "Sometimes I think this thing picked me up. I had some marks on my hip, marks on my shoulder."
After the incident, the witness observed the object transform once more into a triangular shape before it moved backward and disappeared from view. This account represents just one of many strange incidents from 1973 documented in Timmerman's extensive collection.
Collecting Evidence of Unusual Encounters
Audio Documentation
John Timmerman, a dedicated member of the Center for UFO Studies, embarked on a nationwide journey from 1980 to 1992. During his travels across the United States, he conducted exhibits and delivered lectures on UFO phenomena.
This outreach created opportunities for thousands of individuals to share their personal experiences with unidentified flying objects and other paranormal encounters. Timmerman methodically recorded these firsthand accounts, ultimately compiling approximately 1,200 audio tapes of witness testimonies.
Expert Transcription Work
Katherine Deal, an educator from Lima, Ohio with a strong interest in UFO research, volunteered to convert these audio recordings into written form. Her meticulous transcription efforts helped preserve these accounts in a more accessible format.
The transcription process required careful attention to detail to ensure accuracy in documenting witnesses' descriptions of their unusual experiences. Deal's dedication to this project was essential in transforming the extensive audio collection into usable written records for further analysis.
Published Research Findings
Michael D. Swords made significant contributions to the documentation project by assisting with transcriptions and analysis. His work culminated in the 2011 publication "Grassroots UFOs: Case Reports from the Center for UFO Studies."
The book presents numerous accounts, including a particularly notable incident from September 23, 1973. This date falls within what researchers recognize as an unusually active year for paranormal phenomena. In this specific case, a truck driver near Tyler, Texas witnessed what appeared to be a shape-shifting aerial object that:
Initially resembled a small airplane
Transformed into a cigar shape
Later changed into a rounded form with multicolored lights
Finally shifted into a triangular configuration
The witness reported experiencing a possible blackout during the encounter and later discovered unexplained marks on his body. Swords specifically questioned what technology could account for such apparent shape-shifting capabilities.
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The Publication of UFO Field Research
Documented Cases from UFO Research Centers
Between 1980 and 1992, CUFOS member John Timmerman conducted exhibits and lectures across the United States, collecting around 1,200 audio recordings of personal UFO encounters. These valuable first-hand accounts were later transcribed by Katherine Deal, a schoolteacher from Lima, Ohio, and Michael D. Swords.
The transcriptions culminated in the 2011 publication "Grassroots UFOs," which documented numerous extraordinary encounters. This comprehensive collection preserves testimonies that might otherwise have been lost to history.
One notable case occurred on September 23, 1973—a year known for unprecedented paranormal activity. A truck driver near Tyler, Texas witnessed what initially appeared to be a small airplane that nearly caused a traffic accident. The object then hovered above trees and transformed into a cigar shape with lights.
Fascinated by this sight, the driver pulled over for a better view. The object suddenly:
Changed direction toward him
Transformed into a rounded shape
Displayed brilliant multicolored lights
Emitted a distinct "loop loop loop" sound
While hovering above a nearby house, a bright square light descended from the object and moved toward the witness. Feeling threatened, the driver attempted to return to his vehicle but experienced a blackout.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself still standing outside the truck despite believing he had entered it. The witness reported:
Unexplained marks on his hip and shoulder
Memory gaps during the encounter
The object changing from round to triangular before disappearing
This case exemplifies the shape-shifting phenomena documented in the collection, raising questions about the technology involved in such transformations.
The Unexplained Wave of 1973
Mysterious Phenomena Reports
The year 1973 marked a significant period in paranormal history, with an extraordinary surge in unexplained incidents across the United States. On September 23, 1973, a truck driver near Tyler, Texas experienced a particularly strange encounter during his early morning commute. At approximately 5:00 AM, he observed what initially appeared to be a small Cub airplane flying dangerously low in front of another vehicle, nearly causing an accident.
Intrigued by this unusual sight, the driver pulled over to observe the object. What he witnessed next defied conventional explanation. The plane-like object hovered above nearby trees and transformed into a cigar shape, resembling an elongated balloon with lights. The object then shifted position, moving away before returning with a different, rounded appearance accompanied by brilliant multicolored lights.
The witness reported hearing distinct "loop loop loop" thumping sounds as the object hovered above a nearby house. Strangely, despite the noise, no residents seemed disturbed. A large, bright square light descended from the object and moved toward the truck driver, prompting him to retreat to his vehicle in fear.
What happened next remains unclear. The driver experienced a period of missing time—he believed he had entered his truck but later found himself standing outside holding the door. Upon regaining awareness, he observed the object—now "larger than a house"—changing from round to triangular before disappearing from view.
This incident represents just one of numerous strange occurrences documented during 1973. The truck driver later wondered if something more disturbing had occurred during his blackout, noting unexplained marks on his hip and shoulder afterward. This case was preserved as part of John Timmerman's extensive collection of paranormal encounters gathered between 1980 and 1992 for the Center for UFO Studies.
Paranormal researchers have noted that 1973 witnessed an unprecedented spike in reports involving:
UFO sightings
Alleged alien encounters
Bigfoot sightings
Men in Black reports
Other high strangeness phenomena
The Tyler, Texas incident exemplifies the type of unexplained encounters that made 1973 significant in paranormal research circles. The object's apparent ability to change shape—from airplane to cigar to rounded form to triangle—raises questions about what technologies or phenomena might have been involved.
Meanwhile, at what would later become Wollman Rink in Central Park, New York City, the spirits of two sisters from the 1800s—Janet and Rosetta Vandervoort—were reportedly seen skating on ice and water. Witnesses described the women wearing purple and red velvet dresses, respectively, performing figure eights and occasionally passing through solid objects and people.
These diverse phenomena—from shape-shifting aerial objects to apparitions of deceased individuals—characterized the unusual wave of paranormal incidents that peaked during this remarkable period.
Tyler Texas UFO Sighting on September 23, 1973
Truck Driver's Early Morning Observation
On September 23, 1973, at approximately 5:00 AM, a truck driver traveling to work near Tyler, Texas witnessed something extraordinary. He first noticed what appeared to be a small Cub airplane flying dangerously low in front of another vehicle, nearly causing an accident. The object then ascended above the roadside trees where the driver observed something peculiar - the aircraft seemed to transform its shape entirely.
The once plane-like object elongated into what the witness described as a cigar-shaped form resembling a balloon with lights. Intrigued by this unusual aerial phenomenon, the driver pulled over to get a better view of the mysterious object.
The Morphing UFO
After stopping his truck, the driver watched as the cigar-shaped craft moved away briefly before suddenly returning toward his position. The object had transformed again, now appearing rounded and displaying a brilliant array of multicolored lights. Hovering above a nearby house, the craft emitted what the witness described as a distinctive "loop-loop-loop" thumping sound.
Despite the noise being quite loud, the occupants of the house below remained undisturbed. The driver noted he was alone on the dark road with no other vehicles stopping to witness the spectacle. Suddenly, a large bright square light extended from the craft and began approaching him. The light passed by his position once before turning and advancing directly toward him.
The Encounter's Aftermath
Feeling threatened by the approaching light, the driver attempted to retreat to the safety of his vehicle. What happened next remains unclear, as the witness experienced a period of missing time. He recalled attempting to jump into his truck but later regained awareness while standing outside the vehicle, still holding the door.
"I thought I jumped into it, but when I came to myself I was standing holding the truck door," he later told UFO researcher John Timmerman. The driver suspected his fear might have caused him to lose consciousness, though he harbored more disturbing suspicions. "Sometimes I think this thing picked me up. I had some marks on my hip, marks on my shoulder," he reported.
When he regained awareness, the driver observed the object, which he described as "larger than a house," changing from a round shape to a triangular form before retreating from view. This 1973 sighting occurred during a year marked by numerous reports of unusual aerial phenomena and unexplained encounters across the United States.
Technological Anomalies
Morphing Capabilities
In the pre-dawn hours of September 23, 1973, a truck driver near Tyler, Texas witnessed something that defies conventional explanation. At approximately 5:00 a.m., he observed what initially appeared to be a small Cub airplane flying dangerously close to the road, nearly causing an accident with another vehicle.
The object then moved over the trees and transformed before his eyes. What had appeared as a small aircraft morphed into a long, cigar-shaped form resembling an elongated balloon with lights. Intrigued by this unusual sight, the driver pulled over to observe further.
The phenomenon continued to evolve. After briefly moving away, the object returned with a new rounded shape, displaying a brilliant array of multicolored lights. As it hovered above a nearby house, the witness reported hearing a distinct "loop loop loop" thumping sound that was surprisingly loud, though oddly, no one in the house below seemed disturbed by it.
The encounter took an even more unsettling turn when a bright square light descended from the object and began moving toward the witness. Frightened, he attempted to retreat to his truck but experienced what appears to be missing time. When he regained awareness, he was still standing outside his vehicle holding the door, despite his firm belief that he had entered it.
Upon recovering, the witness observed the object, which he described as "larger than a house," transform again—this time from a round shape into a triangular form before moving backward and disappearing. The witness later noticed unexplained marks on both his hip and shoulder, leading him to wonder if something more significant had occurred during his blackout period.
This 1973 incident occurred during a year known for an unprecedented surge in paranormal encounters across the United States, including UFO sightings, alien encounters, and other high strangeness phenomena. The object's apparent ability to change form raises profound questions about what kind of technology might possess shape-shifting capabilities.
In another seemingly unrelated but equally perplexing case, visitors to what would later become Wollman Rink in Central Park have reported encounters with two female skaters who appear to transform from solid to translucent forms. These apparitions, believed to be the Vandervoort sisters who frequented the park in the 1800s, have been witnessed skating above the ice—and sometimes above water when the ice has melted.
One witness described a chilling encounter where the figure in purple passed directly through him, momentarily leaving him enveloped in "an ice cold mist." This ability to transition between physical states, whether technological or supernatural in origin, represents one of the most puzzling aspects of unexplained phenomena.
The Legacy of Wollman Rink
Origins and Name
Wollman Rink occupies a storied location in Manhattan's Central Park near 59th Street. Established in 1950, the public ice skating venue bears the name of the Wollman family, whose financial contribution made its construction possible. The site holds historical significance dating back to the 1800s when it was preceded by a natural pond. This pond served as a popular winter recreation spot, particularly for local residents who enjoyed skating on its frozen surface during colder months.
The area gained particular notoriety through connections with the Vandervoort sisters, Janet and Rosetta. These daughters of a wealthy New York businessman lived in a brownstone mansion on 14th Street and frequently visited the park for skating. Neither sister ever married, preferring instead each other's company until their deaths, which reportedly occurred just three months apart. Though sources differ on their exact year of passing—some citing 1880 while others suggest 1915—their legacy continued in local folklore.
Following World War I, visitors began reporting unusual sightings in the park. Numerous accounts described two young women in distinctive period attire—one in purple velvet, the other in green and red—performing skilled figure eights above the ice. Witnesses noted several peculiar details about these skaters: their blades seemed to hover rather than touch the surface, their forms appeared translucent, and they occasionally laughed at less adept skaters.
The Vandervoort Sisters' Tale
Ice Skating in Central Park
The Vandervoort sisters, Janet and Rosetta, were regular fixtures at the pond in Central Park during the late 1800s. Daughters of a wealthy, overprotective father, they resided in a brownstone mansion on 14th Street near Fifth Avenue. During winter months, the sisters would venture to the pond located east of what would later become Wollman Rink (established 1950). They particularly enjoyed nighttime skating, gracefully performing figure eights across the frozen surface.
Janet's Celebration on Ice
When Janet turned 35, her father organized an elaborate birthday celebration at the park pond. The evening featured an impressive spread of food on picnic tables and a dazzling fireworks display illuminating the night sky. Janet wore an elegant dark purple dress for the occasion, while Rosetta complemented her sister in a striking combination of green satin and red velvet. The celebration continued late into the evening as the sisters skated with local attendees.
Lives of Sisterly Devotion
The Vandervoort sisters maintained such a close relationship throughout their lives that they rejected all potential suitors. According to a 1997 New York Times article, they remained unmarried their entire lives, eventually passing away as spinsters. After their father's death, they continued living in the family brownstone until their own deaths, which occurred just three months apart. While most accounts place their deaths around 1880, some sources suggest they may have lived until 1915.
Ghostly Appearances
Following their deaths, visitors to Central Park began reporting sightings of two young women:
One in a purple velvet dress
One in a red velvet dress with green accents
Both performing figure eights and skating maneuvers
Witnesses noted several unusual characteristics:
Their skates appeared to hover above the ice
They sometimes appeared translucent
They occasionally mocked less skilled skaters
They could be seen "skating" even in summer when the pond contained water
One particularly detailed account describes a man who encountered the ghostly pair while skating with his date. He observed the women in period dresses performing figure eights before realizing he could see other skaters through their bodies. When the woman in purple skated directly through the couple, he described feeling "an ice cold mist moving through my body." After the startled couple fell onto the ice, both ghostly sisters paused to laugh at them before vanishing completely.
Ghostly Encounters in Central Park
Spirit Skaters' Observations
Central Park harbors more than natural beauty—it's also home to supernatural phenomena. Since the early 20th century, visitors have reported seeing two young women skating gracefully across what is now the Wollman Rink area.
The apparitions typically appear wearing distinctive period attire—one in a purple velvet dress and the other in a green dress with a red velvet coat. They're known for performing figure eights and complex skating maneuvers with exceptional skill. What makes these sightings particularly eerie is how witnesses describe the skaters' feet never quite touching the ice surface.
These ghostly figures are believed to be the spirits of Janet and Rosetta Vandervoort, daughters of a wealthy and protective father. The sisters lived in a brownstone mansion on 14th Street and frequently skated in Central Park during the late 1800s. According to historical accounts, they remained extremely close throughout their lives, never married, and died within three months of each other.
Visitor's Firsthand Account
One particularly compelling encounter occurred when a man visiting the rink with his date Amy noticed a woman in an antique purple dress skating figure eights. He initially assumed she was in costume for some performance or filming.
"I was caught off guard when she was joined by another woman in a green dress with a long red velvety coat," he recalled. "As we skated around the edge of the ice, we suddenly found ourselves on a collision course with the woman in purple."
What happened next left both visitors shaken:
The man realized he could see other skaters through the woman's body
Her feet weren't touching the ice surface
When the purple-dressed figure skated directly through them, they felt "an ice cold mist"
Both visitors fell onto the ice in shock
The two spectral women paused, laughed silently at them, and then vanished completely
The witness later researched the phenomenon and discovered local knowledge about the Vandervoort sisters. Many Central Park regulars have shared similar stories about these spirited skaters who seem to continue enjoying their favorite pastime long after their physical lives ended.
Local Stories and Eyewitness Accounts
Visitor Experiences
In the early morning hours of September 23, 1973, a truck driver near Tyler, Texas witnessed something extraordinary. While driving to work around 5 a.m., he spotted what initially appeared to be a small Cub airplane flying dangerously close to traffic, nearly causing an accident. Fascinated, he pulled over to observe as the object hovered above nearby trees and transformed into a cigar shape with lights.
Standing beside his truck, the driver watched as the object moved away before suddenly returning in a new rounded form. The object displayed brilliant multicolored lights and positioned itself above a nearby house. Despite producing a distinct "loop-loop-loop" thumping sound, nobody in the house below seemed disturbed.
The situation quickly turned frightening when a bright square light extended from the object and began moving toward the truck driver. Feeling threatened, he attempted to return to his vehicle but experienced a blackout. When he regained awareness, he found himself still standing outside his truck holding the door.
"I thought I jumped into it, but when I came to myself I was standing holding the truck door," he later reported. The man suspected that either fear caused him to faint or something more unsettling occurred. "Sometimes I think this thing picked me up. I had some marks on my hip, marks on my shoulder."
After recovering, he observed the object—"larger than a house"—changing from a round shape to a triangular one before moving backward and disappearing from view.
The Ghostly Presence of the Sisters
At Wollman Rink in Central Park, Manhattan, numerous visitors have reported encounters with two spectral ice skaters. These apparitions are believed to be Janet and Rosetta Vandervoort, daughters of a wealthy man who lived in a brownstone mansion on 14th Street during the 1800s.
The sisters were devoted to skating on the pond located east of what would later become Wollman Rink. They remained exceptionally close throughout their lives, rejecting all potential suitors and eventually passing away just three months apart. Though accounts differ on their exact death date—some claiming 1880, others 1915—their ghostly presence began appearing during World War I.
Witnesses describe seeing two young women: one in a purple velvet dress, the other in green satin with a red velvet coat. These figures perform figure eights and skating maneuvers that appear to glide slightly above the ice surface. Many observers note their translucent appearance and tendency to laugh at less skilled skaters.
One particularly detailed account comes from a man who visited the park with his date, Amy:
"Suddenly my eye was caught by a woman in an old-fashioned long purple dress skating figure eights on the ice," he recalled. "She was joined by another woman similarly dressed in a green dress with a long red velvety coat."
As the couple skated closer, the man realized something unsettling: "Her feet were not touching the ice and I could dimly make out the figures of other skaters right through her body."
When the ghostly skater passed directly through them, he described feeling "an ice cold mist moving through my body." After Amy screamed and they both fell onto the ice, the spiritual sisters paused, laughed silently at their predicament, and vanished.
