Westward Ho!, Devon – A routine beach stroll turned into a dramatic afternoon when a beachgoer stumbled upon a live World War Two-era grenade nestled in a rockpool along the North Devon coastline.
The discovery was made at approximately 15:30 BST on Monday near the seaside resort of Westward Ho!, prompting an immediate emergency response. According to Bideford Coastguard Rescue Team (BCRT), the alarm was raised after the man alerted authorities to the suspicious object.
Devon & Cornwall Police were first contacted, and a swift decision was made to escalate the incident to the Falmouth Coastguard, which then tasked Bideford’s rescue team with attending the scene. Upon arrival, the coastguard confirmed the object was indeed a live hand grenade, believed to date back to the Second World War.
To ensure public safety, a section of the beach and part of the popular South West Coast Path were quickly cordoned off. Members of the public in the immediate area were moved to a safe distance as bomb disposal experts from the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were dispatched from Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth.
“The safety of the public is our top priority in incidents like this,” said a spokesperson from the Bideford Coastguard Rescue Team. “We appreciate how cooperative everyone was while we established the exclusion zone and awaited the arrival of the EOD unit.”
Upon arrival, the Royal Navy specialists assessed the grenade and determined that it posed a credible risk. Following standard procedure, they carefully buried the device in the sand and rigged it with a small charge. At around 18:00 BST, the grenade was neutralised in a controlled explosion, sending a thud across the beach but causing no damage or injuries.
“This was a textbook response from all agencies involved,” said a Royal Navy spokesperson. “These old munitions, although decades old, can still be highly volatile, especially when exposed to salt water and movement.”
Coastguard officials praised the quick-thinking beachgoer for reporting the object rather than attempting to touch or move it. Authorities often remind the public that wartime ordnance occasionally washes up on British shores, particularly in regions with known military history or former training grounds.
Bideford Coastguard Rescue Team concluded their statement with gratitude: “A big thank you to the public for their patience and co-operation during the incident.”
The beach was reopened to visitors shortly after the area was declared safe, and no further devices were found during a follow-up inspection. Local authorities have advised residents and tourists to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious items to emergency services immediately.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the lingering legacy of war and the importance of remaining cautious around unknown objects found in coastal environments.
