Travis Walton Abduction
Logger Travis Walton was allegedly struck by a beam of light from a UFO and disappeared for five days. His six coworkers witnessed the encounter and passed polygraph tests about what they saw.
The Travis Walton Abduction
On November 5, 1975, logger Travis Walton was allegedly abducted by a UFO in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest of Arizona. His disappearance for five days and subsequent return made this one of the most famous and controversial abduction cases in history.
The Logging Crew
Seven men working:
- Travis Walton
- Mike Rogers (crew boss)
- Ken Peterson
- John Goulette
- Steve Pierce
- Allen Dalis
- Dwayne Smith
The Encounter
Driving home that evening:
- Strange light through trees
- Stopped to investigate
- Glowing disc visible
- Hovering above clearing
- Walton approached
The Beam
When Walton got close:
- Beam struck him
- Blue-green light
- Threw him backward
- Appeared killed
- Crew fled in terror
The Flight
The six witnesses:
- Panicked and drove away
- Thought Walton dead
- Composed themselves
- Returned to scene
- Found nothing
The Search
For five days:
- Massive search
- Walton missing
- Crew suspected
- Polygraph tests
- No body found
The Polygraph Tests
The six coworkers:
- Tested individually
- All passed
- Confirmed seeing UFO
- Confirmed beam hit Walton
- Credibility supported
Walton’s Return
November 10, 1975:
- Phone call received
- Walton found
- Confused state
- Phone booth
- Thought hours not days
His Account
Walton remembered:
- Waking on craft
- Non-human beings
- Large eyes
- Medical examination
- Human-like beings later
The Investigation
Case examined by:
- APRO (UFO group)
- Polygraph experts
- Various researchers
- Media extensively
- Law enforcement
The Film
“Fire in the Sky”:
- 1993 movie
- Based on incident
- Dramatized version
- Brought wide attention
- Walton consulted
Skeptical Response
Critics pointed to:
- Financial motive
- Failed polygraph (one)
- Dramatic story
- Forest contract issues
- Questions raised
Supporting Evidence
Believers note:
- Six witnesses
- Passed polygraphs
- No body found
- Consistent accounts
- Decades of testimony
Significance
The Walton case is significant for:
- Multiple witnesses
- Extended missing time
- Polygraph evidence
- Detailed account
- Ongoing controversy
Legacy
The Travis Walton abduction remains one of the most debated cases in UFO history. Whether one believes his account or not, the multiple witnesses and polygraph tests ensure this case continues to generate discussion decades later.