'Christmas Vacation' holiday display causes panic in Texas

WPVI logo
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Christmas display leads to 911 call
Christmas display leads to 911 call. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News Mornings on December 3, 2018.

A holiday display meant to re-create a scene from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" looked a little too real and caused a veteran to spring into action.



The Heerlein family placed a dummy representing Clark Griswold dangling from the gutter of their Austin, Texas, home, with a ladder tipping beneath him.



A veteran passing by thought it was the real thing and wrestled the ladder up while shouting, "Can you reach it?"



KVUE-TV reports the man called police, who arrived and advised the family they were getting calls about the display.



They have since put up a sign that says "Clark G is part of our Christmas display please do not call 911."



'Christmas Vacation' holiday display causes panic in Texas. Gray Hall reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on December 2, 2018.

___



Information from: KVUE-TV, http://www.kvue.com



------


Send a News Tip to Action News


Learn More About 6abc Apps

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.