The Rainford Humanoid (Jan 2nd, 1978)

[GavB66]

Going through this thread there's a hell of a lot to unpick over an incident that lasted only 20 or seconds. In the stuff I posted from the "Kirkby Spaceman" thread not only does it refer to the 1977 incident in Huyton of the silver figure seen by the schoolboy but there's accounts of a "silvery suited v tall figure seen around roads and houses in the East Lancs Road area of Kirkby...On one occasion it was seen by a couple (supposedly) peering into their living room on Perimeter Road" Also the farmer "who lived in the area saw a 'UFO' at a very low height from a very close distance and what appeared to be a similar figure as described within the crafts vicinity."

Take on board that these may have been a hotch-potch of different events, but given communities were very close in those days do you think that these stories spread and were picked up by Simpson, who appeared to the most enthusiastic of the witnesses, and it was he who convinced the others that is what they saw?

 

[John Fairclough71]

Going through this thread there's a hell of a lot to unpick over an incident that lasted only 20 or seconds. In the stuff I posted from the "Kirkby Spaceman" thread not only does it refer to the 1977 incident in Huyton of the silver figure seen by the schoolboy but there's accounts of a "silvery suited v tall figure seen around roads and houses in the East Lancs Road area of Kirkby...On one occasion it was seen by a couple (supposedly) peering into their living room on Perimeter Road" Also the farmer "who lived in the area saw a 'UFO' at a very low height from a very close distance and what appeared to be a similar figure as described within the crafts vicinity."

Take on board that these may have been a hotch-potch of different events, but given communities were very close in those days do you think that these stories spread and were picked up by Simpson, who appeared to the most enthusiastic of the witnesses, and it was he who convinced the others that is what they saw?

I think that is a distinct possibility. Perimeter Road runs parallel to the Coach Road and eventually emerges around Barrow Nook, where the Coach Road ends.

Assuming the Perimeter Road incident took place first, there must be a likelihood that Simpson had heard about it and it played on his mind after seeing a mysterious figure in white or silver looking clothing.

 

[catseye]

I think that is a distinct possibility. Perimeter Road runs parallel to the Coach Road and eventually emerges around Barrow Nook, where the Coach Road ends.

Assuming the Perimeter Road incident took place first, there must be a likelihood that Simpson had heard about it and it played on his mind after seeing a mysterious figure in white or silver looking clothing.

I'm still drawing mental comparisons with the group of kids who saw the gnomes in the park. When it turns out that actually only one person was responsible for the general panic, which is infectious. I can imagine a sighting of something strange, but not necessarily totally inexplicable, with one (possibly more highly strung) individual doing the 'did you see that? What the hell IS that, looks like it's an alien - oh no, it's coming towards us, it's going to get us, quick quick run everyone!' when the perpetrator is equally baffled at the sight of a load of people suddenly running away.

 

[BS3]

Having said all that, the accounts are clear that "Geoff [Hales] was the first to see the figure" / "Geoff was the first to notice" (from Simpson), followed by Hales shouting "What's that?" So it's perhaps a case of Simpson and Hales creating that initial 'excitement' together, noting that everyone is probably feeling highly strung given that Hales just skidded the car.

I'm wondering if Thomas and Mathews were occupying the two rear seats, and got less of a view (a Triumph Herald isn't very big). On the other hand Simpson is supposed to have caught sight of the figure through the rear window, which seems more likely if he was in the back.

 

[John Fairclough71]

I have assumed Simpson was in the back, based on Pace's report: "Simpson could still see the white figure through the back window before it was lost to sight around the bend."

If he was, that prompts the question how clear was the view he got of the figure initially? In a small car, I doubt his view was much good. His clearest view would have been as Hales turned the car around and then sped off - but he might only have had a clear view for a matter of seconds.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Going through this thread there's a hell of a lot to unpick over an incident that lasted only 20 or seconds. In the stuff I posted from the "Kirkby Spaceman" thread not only does it refer to the 1977 incident in Huyton of the silver figure seen by the schoolboy but there's accounts of a "silvery suited v tall figure seen around roads and houses in the East Lancs Road area of Kirkby...On one occasion it was seen by a couple (supposedly) peering into their living room on Perimeter Road" Also the farmer "who lived in the area saw a 'UFO' at a very low height from a very close distance and what appeared to be a similar figure as described within the crafts vicinity."

Take on board that these may have been a hotch-potch of different events, but given communities were very close in those days do you think that these stories spread and were picked up by Simpson, who appeared to the most enthusiastic of the witnesses, and it was he who convinced the others that is what they saw?

Found this:

Okay this is something that my dad told me about when I was a kid.

In the 1970's in Kirby and nearby area's (rainford etc) of Northwest England - there were strange sightings of 'lights in the sky' , 'spacemen' and other strange reports of vehicles and watches stopping... Apparantly this phenomena occured over a few months time and there were a few terrified witnesses.

My dad even told me a small article appeared in a local newspaper.

Anyway - one story stuck in my mind of what was finally dubbed the kirby spaceman. A vehicle with two passengers was driving down a quiet lane when the car grinded to a halt and then some strange lights flashed through the car windows. The occupants were obviously terrified and became aware of a 'bad feeling', things got worse when a 'silver being' appeared at the side window of the car and peered through...

Then the occupants allegedly came to and several minutes of their life was missing, the two passengers fled the car and ran to a nearby house and awoke the occupants.

What I'm wondering is if any other of our UK members (or anybody else for that matter has ever heard of this story. Both myself and my dad are trying to collate some information on this subject... My dad has never been able to find any witnesses (at least anybody who would talk) and has failed to find which local newspaper had the article.

Any information on this would be greatly received.

--

https://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread289422/pg1

So did Simpson know about this earlier encounter and when in an already heightened state they chanced across a poultry farm worker or similar in a white boiler suit they interpreted this through the lens of local silver suited spaceman encounters? Perhaps they even went out late at night along these rural lanes in the hope of seeing it for themselves?

 

[John Fairclough71]

The quoted passage about a "Kirkby Spaceman" sounds like the same encounter as the Rainford Humanoid but with the details a bit muddled.

The author says he heard the story when he was a child. The passage of time has caused him to be a bit hazy about the specifics.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

The quoted passage about a "Kirkby Spaceman" sounds like the same encounter as the Rainford Humanoid but with the details a bit muddled.

The author says he heard the story when he was a child. The passage of time has caused him to be a bit hazy about the specifics.

Potentially, yes but can we be 100% certain, especially as the Rainford witnesses were named in in the local and national press?

Edit: I think you are correct as he mentions them fleeing to a local house. Good example of how such encounters can get distorted over time

 

[John Fairclough71]

This case could just as easily be called "The Kirkby Humanoid". The encounter location is probably a bit closer to Rainford than Kirkby but not by much. It would take a fit, able bodied person at least half an hour to walk from the centre of the village to the location.

I expect a lot of people who live in Rainford have no idea the Coach Road is there.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Then you have this:

"Thesaint - ask some of your relatives about the farmland around melling and ask about if anybody remembers rumours about strange hooded people in the fields with burning torches on dark nights. This occured over many, many years (even during the WW2 black outs!!)

- If anybody is interested there's a lane called GiddyGate lane that is supposedly haunted - strange sightings of dogs, the sounds of unseen horses and strange figures."

https://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread289422/pg1

I have read about those hooded figures before and I will track down the Mysteries and Monsters podcast that delved into this case. Giddy Gate lane is just across from the Old Coach Road and closer to their intended destination so I wonder if the lads were headed that way to drive it at night just for the spookiness (I know I would!)

Edit: here we are:

A series of strange sightings were reported in the 1970's and 80's in Aintree, famous of course as the home of the Grand National . Witnesses were perplexed by the sight of torch bearing figures wandering in a field.

Hushed tales of nefarious deeds, secret socities and even cults were blamed but just what was going on and could anyone find out who was responsible.

Returning after too long an absence to the show is our good friend, Dr Rob Gandy who tried to get to the bottom of this weird set of sightings.
https://audioboom.com/posts/8459601...de-276-the-aintree-spectres-with-dr-rob-gandy

Or:

 

[John Fairclough71]

I don't know Melling particularly well but I did travel through it quite a bit last year. The railway line between Rainford and Kirkby was closed for several months due to the construction of Headbolt Lane station. This meant anyone travelling to Rainford and the stations further down the line had to board a rail replacement bus from Kirkby station to Rainford station, where they could change onto another train.

The route the bus took went through Melling. It is tiny, not even large enough to be called a village. Despite being near to Kirkby, it does feel rather isolated. I am not surprised some people might find it a bit eerie, especially at night.

 

[John Fairclough71]

"Giddy Gate lane is just across from the Old Coach Road and closer to their intended destination so I wonder if the lads were headed that way to drive it at night just for the spookiness (I know I would!)"

If they were intending to go to Giddy Gate Lane, I am not sure the Coach Road was the best route. It looks to me like they are on opposite sides of Simonswood Moss. Hale clearly said he meant to turn left at the crossroads but that seems to take them away from Giddy Gate.

Nowadays I think you would go down the A570 Rainford by-pass and then the M58 (the same route as the rail replacement bus). However, I am not sure if that route was available back then. I believe the M58 opened in stages and was not fully open until 1980, which would be too late for our quartet.

I am not convinced they were headed to Giddy Gate but if we are correct in our assumption about Simpson having an interest in "paranormal", then it seems likely he would have heard of any local stories.

 

[GavB66]

There is a Knowsley Archives account on X and they posted these in 2017 from the Kirkby Reporter. Simpson's address is given as East Prescot Road (Liverpool) which is not far from where I live but some distance from Rainford, indicating that he was probably unfamiliar with the area. Also interesting that according to the article the police were still continuing with their investigation after the 2nd. The second article is brilliant, a reflection of more innocent and charming times.

 

[John Fairclough71]

Another great find, Gav.

Simpson had gone out of his way. I assume his friends lived in Kirkby but as you say it would be interesting to know how well he knew Rainford and the surrounding area.

I agree the second article is brilliant. Although the tone does seem to be making light of the situation to an extent. It was almost two weeks later and perhaps people had just started to laugh about it by then. Maybe that is when Thomas, Matthews and even Hales started to lose interest if they felt they were becoming the subject of jokes?

But the articles both clearly show it was a talking point, even some time afterwards. There must still be plenty of people around in Kirkby who remember it.

I still think it is curious as to why the lads took their route. Once again the reports emphasise they were not drunk, so why did they want to drive home via the Coach Road? Aside from it being pitch dark, the second article clearly describes it as "little more than a cart track, full of holes and muddy". That confirms it was a poor quality road even then, not much better than in the cyclist's video.

It simply makes no sense to take that route from Rainford to Kirkby and then presumably onto Simpson's home as well. Unless they had a reason for going that way because they had heard about something.

Drug dealers have been known to operate in that area but a group of lads who went out for an evening at New Year and stayed sober don't strike me as the types who would drive down a cart track in the dark in the hope of meeting a dealer.

 

[John Fairclough71]

I see the police were quick to rule out the "someone returning from a fancy dress party" idea, which was speculated early in the thread.

It is noticeable that once again it is only Simpson being quoted by the press.

I assume the "Kirkby Reporter" was a weekly newspaper?

 

[BS3]

I see the police were quick to rule out the "someone returning from a fancy dress party" idea, which was speculated early in the thread.

It is noticeable that once again it is only Simpson being quoted by the press.

I assume the "Kirkby Reporter" was a weekly newspaper?

I saw that and rather wished that they'd said why they were able to rule it out.

The Kirkby Reporter was weekly and came out on Fridays.

 

[John Fairclough71]

I assume they ruled it out because the encounter location is a long way for someone to walk from either Rainford or Kirkby or even from Bickerstaffe. Presumably the police thought someone else would have seen the figure if he had walked there but no one reported anything.

I suppose he could have got a lift out there from the party but why would he asked to be dropped off in such an isolated spot?

 

[Paul_Exeter]

There is a Knowsley Archives account on X and they posted these in 2017 from the Kirkby Reporter. Simpson's address is given as East Prescot Road (Liverpool) which is not far from where I live but some distance from Rainford, indicating that he was probably unfamiliar with the area. Also interesting that according to the article the police were still continuing with their investigation after the 2nd. The second article is brilliant, a reflection of more innocent and charming times.

Cracking find, it is hugely appreciated.

Once again we have Simpson taking centre stage and even suppling his address (minus house number). Once again, we have red and white lights and the suit being asbestos. Therefore I can becoming a bit suspicious that local researcher Steve Balon may have convinced the witnesses (or just Simpson) to change the details of the sighting to make the humanoid more alien.

We are told all four witnesses were from Kirkby but now we know Simpson was from East Prescott Rd in Liverpool, however I believe it is Randles who states he was at school with Hales and one other, so perhaps he had moved from Kirkby?

I think they went back via those dark lanes just for the thrill of it plus also having heard of local ghost tales and the recent UFO sightings. After all they were headed in the right general direction and perhaps more telling is that Simpson didn't try to explain why they were there in the first place (and so nothing to hide?).

I would be astonished if all this publicity didn't cause a schism within those four lads with days or weeks. Simpson seems to have gone off on his own courting publicity and I remain suspicious that Balon met all four witnesses as he claimed as we have just that photo of Simpson (plus quotes) and the quote or two from Hales. If Simpson did indeed later cry hoax then it was probably to repair their friendships.

 

[John Fairclough71]

There is another reporting inconsistency. The "Kirkby Reporter" says Simpson did not live in Kirkby. However, Pace reports: "Apart from Keith Thomas, the other three twenty one year olds lived in the outskirts of Liverpool and had known each other from their schooldays."

It is getting confusing! It looks like only Hales and Matthews lived in Kirkby for certain.

"I would be astonished if all this publicity didn't cause a schism within those four lads with days or weeks. Simpson seems to have gone off on his own courting publicity and I remain suspicious that Balon met all four witnesses as he claimed as we have just that photo of Simpson (plus quotes) and the quote or two from Hales. If Simpson did indeed later cry hoax then it was probably to repair their friendships."

Agree with all that. I think we can be fairly certain Balon did not meet with either Matthews or Thomas. He might have met Hales or perhaps spoke with him on the phone, hence the quotes. Simpson is the only one he met for certain (perhaps Hales was reluctant to return to the scene of his asthma attack). It looks like Simpson has laid it on thick, possibly encouraged by Balon.

I wonder how much time passed between the original newspaper articles and the reports posted at the start of the thread? The photographs of the Coach Road still look wintry, so maybe it was not that long. But it might have been enough time for Simpson to work on his story.

I still think they have encountered someone walking down the road with a torch to light his way. The lads had already given themselves a fright with a minor car accident and the sight of a mystery figure has tipped them over the edge. Then after a day or two passed, it looks like Thomas and Matthews have decided it was nothing important and perhaps disliked all the attention and leg pulling. Whereas Simpson seems to have embraced it all.

 

[GavB66]

Agree with these sentiments, natural to reach a conclusion that Simpson exaggerated what was seen. Interestingly, in the BUFORA account, the figure as reported was a 'composite' picture from the four witnesses and Balon probably gave primacy to Simpson's description to sensationalise it. Unsurprisingly Simpson appears to have been the only witness to see it again as they drove away.

Regarding John's question, the pictures in FSR purportedly show Simpson at the site just afterwards as they picture the skid marks. But this raises an interesting question. The accounts say Haigh drove into the ditch and reversed out when they saw the 'thing', however the picture clearly shows the tyre marks going into the ditch and coming out again. Might be something or nothing but worth commenting on.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Agree with these sentiments, natural to reach a conclusion that Simpson exaggerated what was seen. Interestingly, in the BUFORA account, the figure as reported was a 'composite' picture from the four witnesses and Balon probably gave primacy to Simpson's description to sensationalise it. Unsurprisingly Simpson appears to have been the only witness to see it again as they drove away.

Regarding John's question, the pictures in FSR purportedly show Simpson at the site just afterwards as they picture the skid marks. But this raises an interesting question. The accounts say Haigh drove into the ditch and reversed out when they saw the 'thing', however the picture clearly shows the tyre marks going into the ditch and coming out again. Might be something or nothing but worth commenting on.View attachment 82479

Great observation re the tyre tracks. I suppose a farm tractor and load may have had to negotiate that sharp corner after the night in question but it is strange that the report makes no mention of the tracks left.

 

[John Fairclough71]

Do we know when Balon and Simpson visited the site? It obviously must have been some time after 4th January and the first newspaper reports but how long would tyre tracks remain visible?

We should remember Simpson did allegedly say it was a hoax (top of page 6). We have identified reasons why Simpson may have felt the need to do so. My guess is someone asked Simpson a few years later and he said something like "We did see a figure in the road but I might have exaggerated the details for the UFO researcher".

Which is not quite the same thing as saying it was a hoax.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Do we know when Balon and Simpson visited the site? It obviously must have been some time after 4th January and the first newspaper reports but how long would tyre tracks remain visible?

We should remember Simpson did allegedly say it was a hoax (top of page 6). We have identified reasons why Simpson may have felt the need to do so. My guess is someone asked Simpson a few years later and he said something like "We did see a figure in the road but I might have exaggerated the details for the UFO researcher".

Which is not quite the same thing as saying it was a hoax.

The biggest argument against it being a hoax is the lack of additional 'Whoo!' to spice up the encounter from Simpson and the others. If that was me hoaxing I would have seen a bright light in the sky headed for the location and then a mysterious glow from close to the humanoid as a minimum.Then either a light chasing the car or the humanoid itself.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

Received a request to do one of our deep-dives into the intriguing Falkland Hill case (Fife) from 1996 that involved a family encountering multiple craft and a large number of aliens (allegedly). It all took place on a dark lonely road out in the sticks and, like this case, that always gets my Forteans senses tingling

I've started a thread and any contributions welcome!

 

[John Fairclough71]

"The biggest argument against it being a hoax is the lack of additional 'Whoo!' to spice up the encounter from Simpson and the others."

Agreed.

The newspaper reports have been interesting to read. And if Morrell is to be believed, there is a "Daily Mail" report to be found (unless he confused it with the story in the "Daily Express", posted by Gav earlier in the thread).

Unfortunately, it seems like we will not find out anything else unless one of the people directly involved finds out about this thread. Or perhaps they are aware but don't want to talk about something which happened so long ago.

The only other angles I can think of are:

Does the police report still exist?

Would anyone at Brown Birch Farm have any information? It might be a family business.

 

[Paul_Exeter]

"The biggest argument against it being a hoax is the lack of additional 'Whoo!' to spice up the encounter from Simpson and the others."

Agreed.

The newspaper reports have been interesting to read. And if Morrell is to be believed, there is a "Daily Mail" report to be found (unless he confused it with the story in the "Daily Express", posted by Gav earlier in the thread).

Unfortunately, it seems like we will not find out anything else unless one of the people directly involved finds out about this thread. Or perhaps they are aware but don't want to talk about something which happened so long ago.

The only other angles I can think of are:

Does the police report still exist?

Would anyone at Brown Birch Farm have any information? It might be a family business.

Have to agree. The positive outcome of all of this is that nothing has been uncovered that screams 'Hoax!' at us so it is still very much open in that respect.

 

[GavB66]

Do we know when Balon and Simpson visited the site? It obviously must have been some time after 4th January and the first newspaper reports but how long would tyre tracks remain visible?

We should remember Simpson did allegedly say it was a hoax (top of page 6). We have identified reasons why Simpson may have felt the need to do so. My guess is someone asked Simpson a few years later and he said something like "We did see a figure in the road but I might have exaggerated the details for the UFO researcher".

Which is not quite the same thing as saying it was a hoax.

According to Jenny's piece in FSR, Balon returned to the scene a 'few days later' and looking at the photos they do have a very early-January feel to them! Agree about the hoax aspect, think if they were lying why add the bit in about turning right by mistake? It's an unnecessary detail if the story was untrue. Btw I'm not on Facebook but there is an account for a Geoff Haigh who is a Liverpool fan who looks about the right age.

 

[BS3]

"The biggest argument against it being a hoax is the lack of additional 'Whoo!' to spice up the encounter from Simpson and the others."

Agreed.

The newspaper reports have been interesting to read. And if Morrell is to be believed, there is a "Daily Mail" report to be found (unless he confused it with the story in the "Daily Express", posted by Gav earlier in the thread).

Unfortunately, it seems like we will not find out anything else unless one of the people directly involved finds out about this thread. Or perhaps they are aware but don't want to talk about something which happened so long ago.

The only other angles I can think of are:

Does the police report still exist?

Would anyone at Brown Birch Farm have any information? It might be a family business.

As far as I can make out the family at Brown Birch Farm were called Taylor and seem to have been there since the 1920s at least (judging by old Ministry of Agriculture publications). I suspect the farmer at the time of the incident was James Taylor, who passed away a few years back.

 

[John Fairclough71]

As far as I can make out the family at Brown Birch Farm were called Taylor and seem to have been there since the 1920s at least (judging by old Ministry of Agriculture publications). I suspect the farmer at the time of the incident was James Taylor, who passed away a few years back.

Yes, it appears that a James Taylor died in 2010. There is a bench with his name on it on the Coach Road, near to the entrance of Brown Birch Farm. I think it is reasonable to assume he was the farmer in January 1978:

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4362103

It looks like the current farmer is also named James Taylor, presumably the son of the previous farmer.

 

[BS3]

One thing the above map reminds me is that, other than farms and the railway, there is in fact something else just west of the 'encounter' crossroads that was in operation in 1978 (albeit probably not in the small hours): the Whitemoss Peat Co. works at Simonswood Moss.