Authorities in British Columbia have warned the public to stay away from a rock face overlooking Highway 99 in Squamish, where a red Volkswagen Beetle shell has been suspended in an apparent prank. The province's Environment Ministry confirmed on Monday that BC Parks is working to remove the vehicle within the week, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and park rangers investigating.
The car shell, marked with a large 'E' on its roof, appeared last week above the highway. The 'E' is believed to be a reference to the University of British Columbia's engineering faculty, which has a tradition of placing Beetle shells in challenging locations. In 2009, a Beetle fell from the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge during a failed attempt by five students to suspend it.
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford expressed concern, noting that the area around the Stawamus Chief rock formation is a sacred place for the Squamish Nation and popular with hikers and climbers. He said the prank has affected the community, stating, 'This is an area that deserves respect, and that wasn’t the case here.'
