The Pascagoula River Abduction

On October 11, 1973, Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker were fishing on the Pascagoula River when they became the subjects of one of the most convincing alien abduction cases in history. The sheriff’s secret recording of their private conversation proved their absolute terror.

The Witnesses

Two men:

• Charles Hickson, 42
• Calvin Parker, 19
• Shipyard workers
• Co-workers, not relatives
• Fishing together

The Evening

October 11, 1973:

• Around 9:00 PM
• Pascagoula River
• Old abandoned shipyard
• Fishing for dinner
• Quiet evening

The Approach

They noticed:

• Blue flashing lights
• Approaching from sky
• Zipping sound
• Object descended
• Near their location

The Craft

They described:

• Oval or oblong
• About 30 feet long
• Blue lights
• Hovering nearby
• No landing gear

The Door Opens

An opening appeared:

• In craft’s surface
• Three beings emerged
• Floated toward them
• Not walking
• Approached quickly

The Beings

Unlike typical greys:

• Pale gray wrinkled skin
• No visible neck
• Claw-like hands
• Robotic movement
• Cone-shaped protrusions

The Paralysis

Both men:

• Unable to move
• Frozen in place
• Fully conscious
• Absolute terror
• Helpless

The Abduction

The beings:

• Floated them to craft
• Into the object
• Hickson more clearly recalls
• Parker apparently unconscious
• Medical examination

Inside the Craft

Hickson described:

• Bright interior
• Floating eye examined him
• Scanned his body
• Then released
• Returned to riverbank

Calvin’s Experience

Parker:

• More traumatized
• Less memory
• Possibly unconscious
• Or blocked memory
• Deep psychological impact

After the Event

They discussed:

• What to do
• Who to tell
• Fear of ridicule
• Finally called sheriff
• Needed to report

Sheriff Fred Diamond

The sheriff:

• Initially skeptical
• But men clearly terrified
• Decided to test them
• Left them alone
• Recorded secretly

The Secret Recording

Sheriff’s trap:

• Left room
• Hidden recorder on
• Expecting hoax confession
• Instead heard terror
• Men genuinely traumatized

The Recording

On tape:

• Hickson praying
• Parker nearly hysterical
• No conspiracy discussion
• Genuine distress
• Powerful evidence

Parker’s Breakdown

Calvin:

• Hospitalized briefly
• Severe trauma
• Couldn’t function
• Avoided publicity
• Years of struggle

The Investigation

Air Force came:

• From Keesler AFB
• Interviewed men
• Filed report
• No explanation
• Case unexplained

Polygraph Tests

Both men:

• Took lie detector tests
• Passed examinations
• Believed to be truthful
• Professional administration
• Supporting evidence

Dr. J. Allen Hynek

UFO researcher:

• Interviewed witnesses
• Found credible
• Case compelling
• Added to his files
• Classic encounter

Hickson’s Later Years

Charles Hickson:

• Spoke publicly
• Maintained account
• Wrote book
• Never changed story
• Died 2011

Parker’s Later Years

Calvin Parker:

• Avoided spotlight
• Deep trauma
• Eventually spoke
• Published own book
• Confirmed experience

Skeptical Analysis

Critics suggested:

• Hoax for attention
• Shared hallucination
• Environmental factors
• None satisfying
• Recording problematic for skeptics

Significance

Pascagoula is significant for:

• Secret recording proof
• Police investigation
• Polygraph results
• Consistent accounts
• Two-witness case

Legacy

The Pascagoula abduction remains one of the most convincing cases due to the sheriff’s secret recording. Two terrified men, alone and unaware they were being taped, showed no signs of deception and every sign of genuine trauma.