Old Car Part Turns Into Landmine Scare

Ashton-Under-Lyne, United Kingdom Two amateur photographers and brothers ages 24 and 39 taking pictures at the Park Bridge Heritage Center came across a metallic item half buried in the ground. Intrigued, the brothers decided to uncover it and take it with them to their parent's house three miles away. There they washed the dirt off the item in the utility sink. After the item was fully exposed, the two suspected that it may be a landmine. A quick search of the internet on landmines convinced the two un-trained civilians that the item was indeed a WWII era landmine.

The two then phoned the police who responded and evacuated the scene. An ambulance and a fire fighting unit were called in to standby. The police took photos of the item and sent them to a Royal Army EOD unit based in Chester. After reviewing the photos, EOD responded to investigate further. EOD conducted a visual survey and x-ray scan of the item before confirming that the item was not a landmine but rather an engine part from an old car. The all-clear was given and the family was allowed to return to their home after the four hour ordeal. The two boys and their parents were reportedly relieved at the news.

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