A beach in Devon was evacuated after a suspected unexploded bomb washed ashore, police have said. The object, believed to be a shell, washed up in Beer, a seaside village on the south coast, on Sunday afternoon. Witnesses reported it to police fearing it was an unexploded shell.
Devon and Cornwall Police said they were called at 4pm on 25 August after reports that a suspected unexploded ordnance had washed up on the shoreline. Adrian Bamford, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, told Sky News he came across the object while on a camping holiday with his family.
While they were walking across the shoreline, “my daughter then stumbled across the half-buried shell under the pebbles”.
“She pointed it out, where my eldest son moved the pebbles out of the way and we recognised that it could’ve been a weapon,” Mr Bamford added.
“Unbeknownst to my son, he picked it up and dragged it away to see if it was real, or unused. He described it as incredibly heavy and we googled what an old empty shell looks like.
“It wasn’t empty, and looked full to us. My youngest son came and got me and I phoned 999 and waited for further instructions.”
Martin Richards, chairman of Beer Parish Council in Devon, said earlier the beach had been cordoned off and a nearby road was closed as police and Coastguard members secured the area.
He said earlier two police cars were at the scene and a “full squad of coastguards” had made sure no one approached the object.
“The beach is shut off,” he added. “You can’t get anywhere near it.”
While the cordon has since been lifted, HM Coastguard said an explosive ordnance disposal unit could not access the object because of incoming tides.
They added rescue teams would return at low tide to “reassess the situation”.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We can confirm a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called out to Beer Beach at the request of Devon and Cornwall Police. All further queries should be directed to the police.”
The Discovery
Adrian Bamford, a resident of Weston-super-Mare, stumbled upon the suspected ordnance while on a camping holiday with his family. His daughter, while walking along the shoreline, discovered the object half-buried under the pebbles. The family's initial concern was heightened when his eldest son, unaware of the potential danger, picked up the object and described it as incredibly heavy.
The Evacuation and Cordon
The discovery led to the immediate evacuation of the beach and the closure of a nearby road. Police and Coastguard members secured the area, preventing anyone from approaching the suspected bomb. The authorities took swift action, deploying two police cars and a full squad of coastguards to the scene.
The Bomb Disposal Unit’s Response
Despite the cordon being lifted, the explosive ordnance disposal unit couldn’t access the object due to incoming tides. Rescue teams are expected to return at low tide to reassess the situation. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched to the beach at the request of Devon and Cornwall Police. Further inquiries regarding the situation are directed to the police.
The Aftermath
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface of the sea. The authorities’ prompt response and the public’s cooperation ensured the safety of all involved. The investigation into the object remains ongoing, with the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team set to return to the scene.
The beach in Devon remains a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for unexploded ordnance to wash up on the shore. The authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects to the appropriate authorities.
