You are travelling along a lonely road when you see someone up ahead. You slow down, and seeing that the person is in need of help, you offer them a ride. However upon reaching your destination the hitchhiker is gone, vanished without a trace.
There are many variations to this story, and it has been shared all over the world, for generations.
There are many variations to this story, and it has been shared all over the world, for generations.
Be Careful Who You Pick Up...
A phantom hitchhiker awaits a ride... The story begins with a person driving along a lonely road in the middle of the night. Along the way, they spot someone looking for a ride. They stop the car and the hitchhiker gets in. At some point the hitchhiker simply vanishes into thin air...
That is the core of the story, but more often than not, there are other parts, such as the hitchhiker leaving something behind... a jacket, a bag, a wallet. After arriving at the address, found in the hitchhiker’s possession, they are told that the person has recently died.
Also, these drivers are not the first people to have seen the family’s departed loved one!
That is the core of the story, but more often than not, there are other parts, such as the hitchhiker leaving something behind... a jacket, a bag, a wallet. After arriving at the address, found in the hitchhiker’s possession, they are told that the person has recently died.
Also, these drivers are not the first people to have seen the family’s departed loved one!
Another variant has the hitchhiker vanish as the car passes a cemetery. When the driver stops to see if the hitchhiker may have fallen out, they will notice one of their own possessions hanging on the cemeteries gates.
Quite often the hitchhiker will impart a piece of advice, something personal for the driver that will come into play within a short time of the experience.
At other times, a prophetic vision of world changing magnitude is shared. An upcoming war, the second coming of Jesus Christ, a huge storm or earthquake et cetera - all manner of strange prophecies are told.
Quite often the hitchhiker will impart a piece of advice, something personal for the driver that will come into play within a short time of the experience.
At other times, a prophetic vision of world changing magnitude is shared. An upcoming war, the second coming of Jesus Christ, a huge storm or earthquake et cetera - all manner of strange prophecies are told.
History of Vanishing Hitchhikers
Could they be victims of road fatalities? The Phantom or Vanishing Hitchhiker is an urban legend that has been shared from person to person for centuries. One of the earliest accounts can be found in the New Testament. An Ethiopian chariot driver picks up the Apostle Philip, who baptises the chariot driver then vanishes (New Testament Acts 8:26-39 )
Do you think the legend is based on fact?
What if it is not a legend at all, but rather the spirits of people who have lost their lives along our roads, and are looking for a way home?
With the massive boom of automobile affordability in the 1930's, and the subsequent increase in road mortality rates, is it little wonder that stories and witnesses to the Phantom hitchhiker increased at around the same time?
As with a lot of stories and folklore, the Phantom Hitchhiker probably has a seed of truth.
Do you think the legend is based on fact?
What if it is not a legend at all, but rather the spirits of people who have lost their lives along our roads, and are looking for a way home?
With the massive boom of automobile affordability in the 1930's, and the subsequent increase in road mortality rates, is it little wonder that stories and witnesses to the Phantom hitchhiker increased at around the same time?
As with a lot of stories and folklore, the Phantom Hitchhiker probably has a seed of truth.
'Resurrection Mary'
Resurrection Mary is a famous phantom hitchhiker. It was in the late 60's and early 70's that the story got a massive boost of popularity. However, the story was popular enough before this time for folklorists to start collecting accounts. One of the more famous Phantom Hitchhikers is that of 'Resurrection Mary' found in the Chicago area, Illinois, USA.
(The following is an extract from an online source)
“The story goes that Mary had spent the evening dancing with a boyfriend at the Oh Henry Ballroom. At some stage during the night, they got into an argument and Mary stormed out. Even though it was a bitter winter’s night, she thought she would rather face the cold walk home, than spend another minute with her boyfriend.
She left the ballroom and started walking up Archer Avenue. She had not gotten very far when she was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, who fled the scene leaving Mary to die. Her parents found her and were grief-stricken at the sight of her dead body. They buried her in Resurrection Cemetery, wearing a beautiful white dancing dress and matching dancing shoes. The hit-and-run driver was never found.
Jerry Palus, a Chicago southsider, reported that in 1939 he met a person who he came to believe was Resurrection Mary at the Liberty Grove and Hall at 47th and Mozart (and not the Oh Henry/Willowbrook Ballroom). They danced and even kissed and she asked him to drive her home along Archer Avenue, exiting the car and disappearing in front of Resurrection Cemetery.”
The story of Resurrection Mary is one of the most famous of all Phantom Hitchhikers, and even this one legend comes in many different flavours. She has been seen and reported by taxi drivers, truckies, police officers, ministers and of course paranormal investigators.
(The following is an extract from an online source)
“The story goes that Mary had spent the evening dancing with a boyfriend at the Oh Henry Ballroom. At some stage during the night, they got into an argument and Mary stormed out. Even though it was a bitter winter’s night, she thought she would rather face the cold walk home, than spend another minute with her boyfriend.
She left the ballroom and started walking up Archer Avenue. She had not gotten very far when she was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, who fled the scene leaving Mary to die. Her parents found her and were grief-stricken at the sight of her dead body. They buried her in Resurrection Cemetery, wearing a beautiful white dancing dress and matching dancing shoes. The hit-and-run driver was never found.
Jerry Palus, a Chicago southsider, reported that in 1939 he met a person who he came to believe was Resurrection Mary at the Liberty Grove and Hall at 47th and Mozart (and not the Oh Henry/Willowbrook Ballroom). They danced and even kissed and she asked him to drive her home along Archer Avenue, exiting the car and disappearing in front of Resurrection Cemetery.”
The story of Resurrection Mary is one of the most famous of all Phantom Hitchhikers, and even this one legend comes in many different flavours. She has been seen and reported by taxi drivers, truckies, police officers, ministers and of course paranormal investigators.
Do you think the legend is based on fact?
Have you heard of The Phantom Hitchhiker in your local area?
Where are some of the places it takes place and what are the variations to the story that you have heard?
(I would particularly like to hear from taxi drivers who are said to be the people who have the most frequent experiences with this phenomena.)
Have you heard of The Phantom Hitchhiker in your local area?
Where are some of the places it takes place and what are the variations to the story that you have heard?
(I would particularly like to hear from taxi drivers who are said to be the people who have the most frequent experiences with this phenomena.)
Ashley Hall 2012
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