June 18, 2020 11.11 am This story is over 45 months old

Controlled explosion needed after hand grenade found in Brayford

It was found by two magnet fishermen
Magnet fishermen Matt Hill and Jason Andrews found the grenade in the Brayford on June 17. Photo: Matt Hill

A bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion after a hand grenade was found in the Brayford by a magnet fisherman on Wednesday evening.

Gas engineer Matt Hill told The Lincolnite that he was magnet fishing in the Brayford outside The Royal William IV pub with his boss Jason Andrews, from J&S Plumbing, at around 6pm on Wednesday evening.

Two hours later they pulled out what he believes to be a German model 17 grenade from World War I and phoned the police, who in turn contacted the bomb squad.

The magnet fishermen called the police after making the discovery. Photo: Matt Hill

There was no danger to the public and the bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion at a location outside of Lincoln.

Matt, 47, said: “Jason pulled in the grenade and put it on the deck not realising at first what it was. I said I think that’s a grenade.

A bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion after a hand grenade was found in the Brayford. Photo: Matt Hill

“I was desperately trying to untie my magnet rope from the railings just feet away from it so we could move to a safe location.

“We rang police who turned up and confirmed it was a grenade and called the disposal team. We waited at a distance until 9pm then went home as it was getting on.”

Not what the magnet fishermen were expecting to find when they went out on Wednesday evening. Photo: Matt Hill

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “We were called at 8.05pm on June 17 to Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln, following a report of hand grenade being found in the water by a magnet fisherman.

“There was no disruption to the public, and EOD carried out a controlled explosion at a location outside of Lincoln.”