The Man Who Became the Face of Canada's Most Famous UFO Sighting

In 1967, then 17-year-old Laurie Wickens witnessed what is now considered Canada's most significant UFO event: the Shag Harbour incident. While driving friends home on a clear October night, Wickens observed multiple flashing lights in the sky. The lights formed a sequence before converging, and then an object reportedly crashed into the ocean off the coast of Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia.

He contacted the RCMP, initially facing disbelief. However, subsequent calls from other witnesses prompted the authorities to investigate. Wickens became the primary witness and, for many years, the public face of the mystery surrounding the event. He remained involved in promoting the story and preserving its history until his recent passing at the age of 76.

The Shag Harbour incident involved a search of the waters where the object was reported to have landed. Naval divers and local fishermen, including Wickens, participated in the operation. Reports from the time mentioned the discovery of a peculiar, wide trail of yellow foam on the water's surface. Despite extensive searches, no definitive explanation or wreckage was officially confirmed, though some local accounts suggested debris was recovered.

The incident garnered national attention, with investigations reaching the Department of National Defence. Official memos from the time acknowledged the sighting but could not attribute it to known aircraft or phenomena. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the event remains a prominent part of Canadian unexplained phenomena lore.

In his later years, Wickens dedicated himself to the Shag Harbour UFO Incident Society, helping to run a museum and an annual conference. He was known for his willingness to share the story and ensure the incident remained a significant part of the community's identity. His commitment led to the creation of a coin by the Royal Canadian Mint commemorating the event in 2019, recognizing its place in Canada's unexplained history.