Two friends were enjoying a peaceful day of fishing in a local canal when they made an unexpected and potentially dangerous discovery. The duo, known for their popular TikTok account @MagnetFishingEdinburgh, were using magnets to search for discarded items in the water when they pulled out an unexploded grenade.
According to the fishermen, they had been having a slow day and had moved to a different spot in the Union Canal in Linlithgow, Scotland. Little did they know, their luck was about to change in a major way. As they lifted their magnet from the water, they were shocked to find a grenade attached to it.
While their first instinct was likely to celebrate their unusual find, they quickly realized the seriousness of the situation. One of the men, who goes by the name Bob, told SWNS, a British news service, “Nerves started kicking in, but we were trying to keep confident and make sure that everyone was secure and safe.”
Realizing the danger that the grenade posed, the men immediately alerted nearby pedestrians to steer clear of the area. They then contacted the police, who quickly dispatched a bomb squad to the scene. While waiting for the authorities to arrive, the fishermen were informed by an officer that their magnet would likely need to be destroyed along with the grenade.
Once the grenade was safely removed from the canal by the bomb squad, it was detonated in a controlled environment. A spokesperson for the Scotland police confirmed that the explosive was safely disposed of without causing harm to anyone.
Although the news of having their beloved magnet destroyed may have been disappointing, the fishermen were still relieved to have prevented a potentially dangerous situation in their town. Their TikTok fans also commended them for their responsible actions and quick thinking.
This is not the first time an unexploded grenade has been found during a magnet fishing excursion. In 2019, a man in Ocklawaha, Florida discovered a WWII hand grenade while magnet fishing. However, unlike the Scottish duo, this man carelessly placed the grenade in the trunk of his car before driving to a nearby Taco Bell. The restaurant was subsequently evacuated and a bomb squad was called in to safely dispose of the grenade.
Magnet Fishing Edinburgh has gained a large following for its unique fishing adventures, which have resulted in the discovery of various items such as electronics, shovels, wagon wheels, and even motorbikes. While the men are based in Edinburgh, they have traveled to other areas to explore different waterways and document their findings.
In conclusion, while an unexploded grenade may not be a typical catch for a day of fishing, these two friends have certainly proved that you never know what you may find lurking beneath the surface. Thanks to their responsible actions, a potentially dangerous situation was avoided, and their TikTok following has no doubt increased as a result.