The news of a French woman claiming to have been struck by a meteorite has raised many eyebrows. The chances of such an event occurring are incredibly slim, estimated to be anywhere from one in 700,000 to one in 100 trillion. It’s noteworthy that there has only been one confirmed case of a meteorite victim in history – Ann Hodges, a woman from Alabama who was hit by a grapefruit-sized extraterrestrial rock 70 years ago.
While the French resident insisted that she was hit by a meteorite while enjoying coffee with a friend on her home’s terrace in Schirmeck, northeast France, numerous geologists quickly dismissed her claims. Ann Hodges, however, holds the unwanted record of being the only person ever struck by a meteorite. Dozens of geologists rushed to dispel the French woman’s story, stating that her injuries were caused by a regular terrestrial rock instead of a smooth space rock.
Ann Hodges’ incident occurred on November 30, 1954. She was peacefully napping on her sofa when an 8.5-pound, 4.5 billion-year-old space rock crashed through her roof, bounced off a radio, and hit her upper thigh and hand, leaving a substantial bruise. Her mother, alarmed by the scream, rushed to her aid. Initially, they thought there was a collapse or a space heater malfunction, but they later discovered a rock on the floor along with Ann’s bruise. The police and fire department were called to the scene.
Residents in Sylacauga reported seeing a bright reddish light crossing the sky, described as a “fireball” with a booming sound. Many believed an airplane was crashing. Authorities were flooded with calls, expecting to find a crash site, until they identified the Hodges’ house as “ground zero” and found a hole in the roof. As the evidence was pieced together, it became clear that the meteor broke apart upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere. One fragment hit Ann Hodges, while another was found several miles away by a farmer.
Ann’s husband, Eugene, was completely unaware of the incident until he returned home to find emergency vehicles and people surrounding their home. Although Ann did not require immediate hospital treatment, she was admitted the next day for the emotional distress caused by the event. Eugene later revealed that his wife’s behavior changed significantly following the meteorite strike, experiencing worsening health problems and developing social anxiety akin to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The couple divorced years later, after engaging in a legal dispute with their landlady over the ownership of the meteorite fragment.
Despite facing legal challenges, Ann and Eugene eventually gained possession of the meteorite. However, interest in it had waned, and they couldn’t find a buyer. They initially used it as a doorstop before eventually donating it to the Alabama Museum of Natural History. In contrast, the farmer who had another fragment from the Hodges Meteorite had better luck. He sold it to the Smithsonian, allowing him to purchase a car and a house. Decades later, in 2017, a piece of this second fragment sold at auction for $7,500.
Ann Hodges faced significant struggles due to the notoriety from the incident and passed away at the age of 52. Her ex-husband, Eugene, lived until 2012. Ann’s story serves as a reminder of the rarity of meteorite incidents and the impact they can have on individuals’ lives.
In conclusion, the account of the French woman claiming to be struck by a meteorite highlights the extraordinary odds of such an event. Ann Hodges remains the sole known victim in recorded history, making her story an important part of meteorite lore.
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