The Uniondale Hitchhiker

The Uniondale Ghost is a phantom hitchhiker who has been reported along a stretch of road near the town of Uniondale in the Western Cape of South Africa. Since 1968, multiple motorists have reported picking up a young woman who vanishes from their vehicles.

The Origin

On April 12, 1968, a young woman named Maria Roux was killed in a motorcycle accident on the road between Uniondale and Willowmore. Her fiancé, who was driving the motorcycle, survived. Shortly after, reports began of a ghostly hitchhiker.

The Encounters

Motorists, typically men traveling alone, report seeing a young woman on the roadside. They stop to offer her a ride. She enters the vehicle but does not speak. At some point during the journey, the driver notices she has vanished from the seat beside them.

Notable Incident

In 1976, a motorist named Corne van Rooyen gave a lift to a young woman he later identified as Maria from photographs. He gave her his jacket because she was cold. When he looked again, she was gone, but his jacket was found neatly folded on the seat.

Investigation

The case has been investigated by journalists and researchers. The sightings tend to occur around the anniversary of Maria’s death. Multiple witnesses have independently described the same young woman.

Assessment

The Uniondale Ghost follows the classic vanishing hitchhiker pattern, but the consistency of the descriptions and the specific origin story give it particular resonance. Whether the spirit of Maria Roux actually lingers on that road, or whether the power of legend creates new sightings, motorists continue to exercise caution.