Beetle Hangs Off Bridge

Students play a practical joke involving the world famous Beetle and a bridge in Vancouver.

IN SOMETHING of a tradition, students from the University of British Columbia were caught tying a Volkswagen Beetle to the side of a bridge in Vancouver.

Back in February 2001 they were caught fixing a Beetle shell under the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Other than an invoice from the bridge's operator, Dunwoody said nothing came of that incident. In the same month that year they took responsibility for an anonymous act of hanging one from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The engineering students were caught this time on the Second Narrows Bridge in Vancouver and await to see their punishment. The University Dean is not pleased with the reputation these engineering students are gaining the University. The Associate Dean, Bruce Dunwoody, comments,

"Only the president can dole out discipline. ...[The president] mostly handles academic misconduct."

"It's clearly not a UBC sanctioned activity," Dunwoody added.

"I'm not sure where that falls."

When trying to remove it, local authorities lost control and the Beetle fell to a watery grave below. Now presenting a minor hazard it may have to be removed.

A similar fate was shared by the one in San Francisco however that remains sleeping with the fishes.

Ed Dooley

07/02/2009