A suspected World War Two bomb was discovered in the River Trent in Newark, Nottinghamshire, after being pulled from the water by a couple during a clean-up effort.
Steve and Leanda Hillier were working along the riverbanks on Bob’s Island, off Mill Lane, on Wednesday afternoon when they made the unexpected find. The couple initially believed the item was a discarded bag before realising its dangerous potential.
“It was a bit frightening,” Mrs Hillier recalled. “Steven picked it up and said, ‘I think it’s a bomb,’ so I told him, ‘so put it down!’”
The discovery quickly drew a police response. Officers arrived on the scene and confirmed the object resembled unexploded ordnance. Specialist military experts from the Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit were called in to assess the situation.
Mrs Hillier explained that, at first, her husband held the device while others nearby watched. “One of the fishermen with us said, ‘why don’t you video him?’ And I said, ‘video him? When he’s got a bomb in his hand? I don’t want that as a memory!’”
Authorities quickly cordoned off the Mill Lane area as a precaution. The suspected bomb was carefully removed and destroyed in a controlled explosion early on Thursday morning, shortly after 8am.
A police spokesman confirmed the sequence of events. “Police were called around 4.35pm yesterday – 17 September – after a suspicious item was spotted in the river, near Mill Lane, Newark. This was later confirmed to be a small, unexploded ordnance bomb, believed to be from the Second World War era,” the statement read.
The spokesman added: “Police cordons were temporarily put in place around the Mill Lane area, while Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal Engineers safely removed the object.”
The incident highlights the enduring presence of wartime munitions in the UK. Although more than 80 years have passed since World War Two ended, unexploded bombs and shells continue to be unearthed across the country. Many remain buried in rivers, fields, and construction sites, surfacing only when disturbed.
Newark, with its historic links to wartime industry and its proximity to airbases used during the conflict, has seen similar discoveries in the past. While such finds can cause alarm, military teams are well-trained to handle and neutralise these devices safely.
For locals, the discovery has been a reminder of both the area’s wartime history and the importance of vigilance when encountering suspicious objects. Bob’s Island, where the device was found, is a popular spot with anglers and walkers, making the swift response by authorities crucial for public safety.
Despite the scare, Mrs Hillier expressed relief at how quickly the situation was handled. “We knew straight away we had to call the police,” she said. “They were brilliant – everything was dealt with quickly and safely.”
The controlled explosion ensured that no one was harmed and that the device could no longer pose a risk. For the Hilliers, their riverside clean-up turned into an unforgettable brush with history.
