A flying car sits tangled in a tree after crashing in Vernon, B.C. on Friday May 10, 2013. There are fender benders, sideswipes and rear-end accidents, but RCMP in Vernon, B.C., are investigating their first-ever case of a car falling from the sky. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Pete McIntyre
May 10, 2013 - 10:44 AM
VERNON, B.C. - There are fender benders, sideswipes and rear-end accidents, but RCMP in Vernon, B.C., are investigating their first-ever case of a car falling from the sky.
Police spokesman Gord Molendyk confirms a road-worthy roadster, the creation of a Florida company, crashed into a creek near an elementary school just before 9 a.m., injuring the two people aboard, although they are expected to recover.
The vehicle, known as Maverick, resembles a cross between a dune buggy and a bedroom fan because it has been modified to add a large propeller at its rear.
Using a 100-metre runway, the car can take off and fly under a parasail, but also needs a 100-metre runway to make a safe landing.
Molendyk says that didn't happen this morning as Maverick lifted off from the Vernon airport, circled and tried to power up, but crashed through a fence and trees near the school, although no one on the ground was hurt.
Vernon resident Ray Seibring recently brought the fifth-ever flying car to Canada as a prototype and has been checking it out in a series of test flights across the Okanagan. (CKIZ, CICF)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013