Drivers have been terrified by “ghost lights” on one of Florida’s most haunted highways for the past 60 years, and the phenomenon remains unexplained.
Locals often talk about the ‘Oviedo Lights’ that appear along the bridge over the Econlockhatchee River on Snow Hill Road in Seminole County, and many have even ventured out to try to see them.
How the lights appear remains a mystery, but the first reports of the mysterious phenomenon date back to the 1960s, local historian Jason Byrne wrote on his website. Florida History Blog.
Florida Tech University, later renamed the University of Central Florida, published photographs of the Oviedo Lights in a series of newspaper articles in October 1969.
According to local lore, the strange lights are said to appear around midnight and are most prominent during the winter months.
Locals know the “Oviedo Lights” that appear along the bridge over the Econlockhatchee River on Snow Hill Road in Seminole County.
Florida Tech University, later renamed the University of Central Florida, published photographs of the Oviedo Lights in a series of newspaper articles in 1969.
“From a distance, it looks like a car coming in the opposite direction, but as it gets closer, witnesses say its light is as bright as that of a freight train and never separates into two lights like a car’s headlights would. car,” Byrne wrote.
Witnesses stated that the lights have a blue hue and disappear immediately after crossing the bridge.
Rumors about the lights have led people all over Florida to chase the phenomenon, especially teenagers.
“You drive up there and sit in the middle of the night, drinking beer or whatever teenagers do, and looking for these legendary lights,” Byrne said. Click Orlando.
“So there are literally generations of people who remember going out, going on a date, or taking some friends looking for these ghost lights.”
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There is only one story that Byrne has been able to validate that could explain the alleged ghost behind the lights: the death of Norbert Hyman, who died in 1963 at the age of 17.
He and some friends had gone to the bridge to set off fireworks. Later, a friend came back to get the car and started driving without the headlights on.
Two friends were able to jump out of the way safely, but Hyman was fatally struck by the vehicle, according to Byrne.
“(The friend) took his other two friends home and dropped them off before taking (Hyman) to the hospital,” Byrne said.
When the teenager arrived at the hospital, he was already dead.
Pictured: A glimpse of what some consider a glowing orb
Pictured: Norbert Hyman, who died in 1963 at the age of 17, who some locals believe is behind the ghostly lights.
Other unverified tales include a Cub Scout who becomes separated from his troop and carries a flashlight with him, believing that the light is his spirit still searching for his friends, according to Byrne.
Another chilling theory revolves around a teenager playing chicken on the road and getting hit by an oncoming car.
There is also a story about two children who were involved in a car accident and drowned under the bridge.
Despite what locals believe, experts said dead vegetation in swamps can decompose and produce highly combustible methane gas. If ignited, the methane would appear blue, according to PBS.
However, experts are not sure if that is what is happening, as they do not know what would cause the methane to burn.
Until the true story is revealed, the ghost hunters continue arriving at the bridge to see a blue orb floating in their direction.