Urban legends are often considered myths, or 'friend of a friend' tales (FOAFtales), which differ from classic mysteries in the sense that they are perceived as exaggerated yarns. London has many such tales from its dark, foggy corners, but there is one such story which has become criminally forgotten, and for me remains one of the capital's most horrifying legends – namely 'The Maniac On The Platform' first discussed by folklorist Michael Goss back in 1985.Other such 'urban legends', for example, are phantom hitchhikers, or in the case of New York, alleged alligators said to inhabit the sewer systems. However the so-called platform maniac, said to haunt crowded platforms onthe London Underground, would have once equalled even larger scale myths of the world if it had got out of hand.Michael Goss first heard about the phantom when travelling on the Circle Line between Blackfriars and Embankment in the February 1985.
Of course, no-one has ever actually seen the so-called maniac, who is said to be an elusive serial killer who prowls the tunnels looking for hapless victims. And what does he do to these victims...?
Rumour has
it that the mystery figure waits for a train to approach and then in
sly fashion pushes his target onto the rails to certain death. Back in
the 1980s many people spoke of the apparition, it was all hearsay of
course, but that's what made the legend spread like wildfire, everyone
with their own version of events pertaining to the lunatic. Whispers
also spread that at the time the police knew ofthe killings but would
not speak of such as it may have provoked copycat murders.
The maniac was stone-cold
fact to everyone, just like the legend of the psychopath said to haunt
nightclubs around London and the south-east, injecting people's hands
with a secretive syringe and leaving a note in their pocket, which they
would read in the morning, saying "Welcome to the AIDS club". Chilling
stuff.
We are all prone to
conspiracy theories, and the maniac on the London Underground was
always out there, and every accident that began to occur on the
platforms just may well have been a well disguised killing. Classic
folklore. Of course, the London Underground is a perfect place to
harbour such eerie legends. Ghosts, giant rats and a race of
flesh-eating humanoids are also said to lurk in the gloom, but none of
these spectres have ever been seen... haveth......
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Researchers have claimed that a photograph taken by rock historian Brett Meisner at the grave of Doors frontman Jim Morrison and that shows what some believe to be his ghost is actuallyauthentic.
"Jim Morrison has been dead for almost four decades but a snapshotbelonging to longtime rock historian Brett Meisner allegedly shows the Doors frontman haunting his own grave. . And now, just in time for Halloween, researchers now cla...The children who really do see dead people
Psychotherapist Caron Goode investigates whether some imaginary friends aren"t quite so imaginary.Goode is convinced based on some of her own childhood experiences that some children are actually seeing and in communication with spiritual entitities, she has written a book on both how to determine this and what to do about it.
Haley Joel Osment shocked millions of American moviegoers when he said, "I see dead people" in "TheSixth Sense. . " Turns out, what"s really shocking is how many ...Poltergeists
The 'traditional' or non-SGHA Ghost Hunter
still believes the turn of the century myth that poltergeist activity are caused
by hormonal reactions of a young female having psychological problems. This
turn of the century belief has never been proven nor is it accepted by those of
us in SGHA.
It seems that the parapsychologist and psychologist have quickly jump on this
bandwagon to disprove spirit activity. What does a poltergeist really mean?
This is a German word for Noisy Gh...Malaysian museum cancels ghost exhibition
A Malaysian museum which had defied calls for it to stop a popular exhibition on supernatural beings Friday cancelled it after an Islamic fatwa, or religious decree, was issued, state media said. Thousands of visitors have been drawn to western Negri Sembilan state's musuem since it launched the ghost and genie exhibition on March 10, due to run until May 31.Its curator had resisted calls from Malaysia's arts minister and a mufti for it to be shut down amid criticism that encouraging a b...Psychodrama
Anthony North: There is a problem with much of the paranormal in that we rely too much on classic interpretations. This is not to say that these interpretations may not be true, but that understanding can better be achieved by a radical overhaul of terms.The poltergeist is a perfect example. We have a clear idea of what a poltergeist is. But could phenomena be more open to rational understanding by offering new concepts and names? Let’s consider the possibility. What a poltergeist isn't: A p...Ghost hunters out for answers
A group of paranormal investigators in Fort Worth have taken up the challenge of seeking out ghosts while at the same time hoping to save one of the areas architectural treasures."As a boy growing up in Arkansas, Rob Stone thought the oldwoman he saw at his grandparents" farmhouse was just an “imaginary friend” - until a photograph of his dead great-grandmother revealed a strikinglysimilar appearance between the two. . As ...Supernatural exceeds religious belief in UK ?
Believers in UFOs, aliens and ghosts outnumber those who follow mainstream religions, a survey has found. While 54 per cent of people believe in God, 58 per cent believe in the supernatural. Researchers found women were more likely to believe in the supernatural than men, and were more likely to visit a medium. Nearly a quarter of the 3,000 questioned by researchers claimed they had an encounter with the paranormal. Some 37 per cent said aliens and ghosts were the basis of their beliefsystem. Th...A family’s tale of mischief and woe
Cooking dinner, washing dishes, doing laundry: these are just some of the everyday activities a family deals with in their home. Becky Eckle has a family of six to clean up after: her husband Tom, her daughter Samantha, her son Kris, and two ghosts. The Eckle family has been coping with paranormal activity at their home, on the corner of Urban and South Wells streets, since moving in nearly nine years ago. Becky, a Tyler County native, moved back to the area to be closer to her mother... “We sta...Does a haunting affect a house's value ?
It might be the last thing on most people"s minds when moving in to a new home, but on some occasions it can be that the previous tennants haven"t even moved out - or moved on. There have been more and more reports of homes being sold with the added "bonus" of a resident ghost, but can this really increase the value of the property ?"So, you"ve just moved into your new home. Beautiful house, fantastic location, and you got...Woman blames poltergeist for loud parties
A 20-year-old mother has been evicted from her home after claiming a ghost was playing loud music.Leanne Fennell told her neighbours that the loud music and late night disturbances were the result of a poltergeist haunting. "She told us a poltergeist would keep switching the music on really loud when she was in bed," said one resident.Leanne was finally evicted from the houseafter being taken to court for ignoring a noise abatement order. . Leanne Fennell, 20, told neighbours that...
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Jim Morrison ghost picture "authentic"
The children who really do see dead people
Poltergeists
Malaysian museum cancels ghost exhibition
Psychodrama
Ghost hunters out for answers
Supernatural exceeds religious belief in UK ?
A family’s tale of mischief and woe
Does a haunting affect a house's value ?
Woman blames poltergeist for loud parties
