SQUAMISH, British Columbia — Officials in British Columbia are warning residents to avoid a cliff area above a major highway where engineering students apparently hung a red Volkswagen Beetle shell as part of an elaborate stunt.
Provincial authorities announced Monday that BC Parks crews are working to take down the vehicle and anticipate completing the removal by week’s end. The Environment Ministry confirmed that both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and park officials have been called in to look into the incident.
The hollowed-out car emerged on the cliff face overlooking Highway 99 in Squamish last week, displaying a prominent “E” painted on its top — a marking that suggests University of British Columbia engineering students were continuing their longstanding practice of positioning Beetle shells in challenging spots.
This type of stunt has occurred before. In 2009, another Beetle dropped from the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge, leading Vancouver police to arrest five students who had unsuccessfully tried to hang it from the bridge structure.
University representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment about the latest incident.
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford expressed concern about the location chosen for the prank, describing the Stawamus Chief rock formation area as a “sacred place” that holds significant cultural importance for the Squamish Nation.
The mayor noted that the location draws many outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and climbing activities, and emphasized that what “may have felt like an innocent prank” has negatively impacted the local community.
“This is an area that deserves respect, and that wasn’t the case here,” Hurford said in the statement.
