Two individuals engaged in the popular pastime of magnet fishing made a startling discovery along the Union Canal in Linlithgow, Scotland, as they reeled in an unexploded grenade from the water. This unexpected encounter took place in early October and was documented by the TikTok account @MagnetFishingEdinburgh, which boasts a substantial following of nearly 500,000 viewers.
The two anglers, who go by their first names, remained unidentified, with one of them being referred to as Bob, opted to try their luck at magnet fishing after relocating to a different spot along the canal. Their decision to explore this particular waterway yielded more than they had bargained for when they stumbled upon the dangerous ordnance.
Upon spotting the grenade, Bob and his companion understandably became nervous but prioritized the safety of themselves and others. They promptly alerted any passersby, instructing them to take an alternate route to minimize any potential risks.
Their responsible course of action continued as they reached out to local law enforcement. The police, in turn, dispatched a bomb squad to handle the situation.
“Once we got it, we ended up contacting the police, and they got a bomb squad out to come and take care of it,” the fisherman told SWNS.
The turn of events took a somewhat unexpected twist when an officer informed the magnet fishers of the outcome. On the one hand, they were lauded for potentially preventing a catastrophic incident in the town. On the other hand, their magnetic fishing apparatus, the tool that had led them to this remarkable discovery, was to be sacrificed along with the grenade, detonated in a controlled environment by authorities.
A spokesperson for the Scotland police confirmed the safe removal and disposal of the explosive device, underscoring the importance of their quick thinking and collaboration with law enforcement in averting a potential disaster.
Bob and his fishing partner are known for sharing their magnet fishing adventures on social media platforms. Their videos showcase an array of items recovered from the depths of various water bodies, ranging from electronics and shovels to metal poles and even motorbikes. Hailing from Edinburgh, they’ve traveled extensively in search of underwater treasures.
This incident, although rare, is not unprecedented in the realm of magnet fishing. In a peculiar and somewhat unconventional twist in 2019, an individual magnet fishing in Ocklawaha, Florida, stumbled upon an authentic World War II hand grenade. In an eyebrow-raising move, the man transported the grenade in his car, stopping at a Taco Bell before contacting the authorities. The subsequent evacuation of the fast-food establishment, an immediate call to a bomb squad, and the proper disposal of the grenade demonstrated the critical importance of handling such situations with the utmost care and responsibility.
