Someone hung a Volkswagen Beetle off a cliff in Squamish and some aren't thrilled
If you were passing through Squamish, B.C., on Monday, you might have noticed something out of place: a Volkswagen Beetle hanging off a cliff.
On Monday, March 30, people took to social media to post photos of a red, hollowed-out car on the Papoose in Shannon Falls Park. Many are saying it is likely a continuation of a long-standing University of British Columbia tradition, where engineering students find unique places to hang VW Beetles.
For example, in 2001, they hung a similar VW Beetle off the Golden Gate Bridge.
“Nice to see this tradition come back,” said one person on Reddit.
“You can’t park there mate,” another joked.
“This gives me hope for the future! Glad to see some future engineers doing fun things that are hard,” added a third.
But B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Parks wasn’t as jovial.
“We understand that this type of activity is a long-standing tradition, but this is not an appropriate place,” the ministry said in a statement sent to Daily Hive.
“The risk to public safety from this type of activity is a serious matter and it requires B.C. Parks to divert its team and resources from other pressing matters to address. If the car is not secured properly, it could fall and cause serious harm to others. Its removal may also pose a risk to those doing the work to remove it.”
The ministry added that it is in a well-known rock climbing area. They said their priority is to maintain public safety and protect the park’s resources and values.
A spokesperson for B.C. Parks said that the matter is under investigation and did not answer Daily Hive’s questions about when and how they will remove the vehicle.
“BC Parks takes this type of activity seriously and has asked the RCMP and Park Rangers to investigate,” they said. “We ask park users, as always, to follow signage and information posted on the park website should there be directives related to this incident.”
Police are working with B.C. Parks Rangers to see if there are any safety concerns, and that area has been closed “pending removal and safety concerns,” according to a statement from Staff Sergeant Sascha Banks with the Squamish RCMP.
“There appears to be information circulating online about this being associated to a university ‘prank’ but we have been unable to confirm at this point,” she said.
B.C. Parks is taking the lead on the investigation, with assistance from the Squamish RCMP.
Police said there could be “potential charges of Mischief, Criminal Negligence if any injuries occur to those in the area, or fines under the Park Act.”
Anyone with information can contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100.