SIGHTING: ROANOKE, VA

Witness Testimony

"My 5 year old daughter and myself were driving into Roanoke, VA from Richmond, VA. We were driving southbound on I-81 and about to exit onto I-581. She and I are both aware of the “Roanoke Star” - a large man made structure perched at the top of Mill Mountain that lights up at around dusk I believe. We were actually both chanting “the star! The star!” And as we went around a slight bend shortly after getting off the exit onto 581, the star became visible and we, of course were excited. I noticed a light in the distance that at the time was directly beside the star, but since we were some distance away, it appeared to actually be a bright street light perhaps just a short distance off of the interstate. However, this light did not budge and became brighter and bigger as we approached. The sighting occurred between the Roanoke Regional Airport and the Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. I assumed it was a helicopter, since the craft was hovering, completely still in the air right above 581 in the direction we were headed. I began filming as we approached and as it passed over us, I could see it appeared to be an airplane. The airplane’s location above 581 was approximately between the Roanoke Civic Center and the exits to go to downtown Roanoke. The way this airplane moved (or actually just remained still, hovered) seemed to defy natural law as I know it. At least I’ve never seen an airplane suspended in the same spot, at a height about as tall as 30-40 foot building, remaining still for that amount of time. The craft was quiet and from its underbelly I could clearly see it had about 3 lights towards the front in a triangle shape. It did have 2 wings, fuselage and tail. I thought it sort of looked like an “old school plane” (my knowledge of such craft is very slim) and wondered if it was some sort of hot air balloon or blimp. But the material was clearly...more metallic in nature. Whatever it was, it was interesting and exciting to say the least. I can email the footage since I do not have a link available.. Thanks"