Hanging Beetle !
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:47 am
'We caught them red-handed'
February 03 2009 at 08:36AM
A prank to hang a Volkswagen Beetle from a major bridge failed on Monday, landing five engineering students in handcuffs and their car at the bottom of the ocean.
A concerned citizen reported a disturbance on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in this western Canadian metropolis, Constable Lindsey Houghton told AFP.
Police found "a group of fine young University of British Columbia engineering students attempting to hang a VW Bug over the side," said Houghton, laughing. "We caught them red-handed."
Pranks, often involving hanging VW Beetles off high places such as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, have taken place annually for decades at major North American engineering schools.
But the Vancouver students' stunt suffered a rare technical failure and the culprits were caught.
"Their rope and pulley system failed, and the car plunged into the murky depths of Burrard Inlet," said Houghton, adding the students "should perhaps be reviewing their ropes and pulleys lectures and take that class over."
Bruce Dunwoody, associate engineer dean at the University of British Columbia, said "the whole escapade is an embarrassment and the fact they failed doesn't make it any better."
The university has tried to discourage the illegal pranks, Dunwoody told AFP.
"Students see it as an opportunity to display their growing talents in technically challenging areas. I see it somewhat differently," he said. "I was relieved nobody was hurt."
Five men in their early 20s were arrested and released pending charges of mischief, she said.
Dunwoody said the case will also be examined by the university. - Sapa-AFP
February 03 2009 at 08:36AM
A prank to hang a Volkswagen Beetle from a major bridge failed on Monday, landing five engineering students in handcuffs and their car at the bottom of the ocean.
A concerned citizen reported a disturbance on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in this western Canadian metropolis, Constable Lindsey Houghton told AFP.
Police found "a group of fine young University of British Columbia engineering students attempting to hang a VW Bug over the side," said Houghton, laughing. "We caught them red-handed."
Pranks, often involving hanging VW Beetles off high places such as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, have taken place annually for decades at major North American engineering schools.
But the Vancouver students' stunt suffered a rare technical failure and the culprits were caught.
"Their rope and pulley system failed, and the car plunged into the murky depths of Burrard Inlet," said Houghton, adding the students "should perhaps be reviewing their ropes and pulleys lectures and take that class over."
Bruce Dunwoody, associate engineer dean at the University of British Columbia, said "the whole escapade is an embarrassment and the fact they failed doesn't make it any better."
The university has tried to discourage the illegal pranks, Dunwoody told AFP.
"Students see it as an opportunity to display their growing talents in technically challenging areas. I see it somewhat differently," he said. "I was relieved nobody was hurt."
Five men in their early 20s were arrested and released pending charges of mischief, she said.
Dunwoody said the case will also be examined by the university. - Sapa-AFP
