Boy gets metal detector gift, finds WWII bomb

London, Dec 28 (IANS) A seven-year-old boy in Britain left his parents dumbfounded when he discovered a buried torpedo-shaped World War II bomb, with the help of a metal detector he got as a Christmas present.

Sonny Cater was exploring fields near his house when the metal detector led him to a mud-caked metal capsule, the Daily Telegraph reported.

He took it home but his father became suspicious as he washed it under a tap and contacted a relative who is a former Royal Air Force armourer.

The family called the police, and a bomb disposal squad was dispatched to their home in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Experts identified the device as a 10-pound practice bomb.

Sonny was enjoying a walk with his parents and nine-year-old brother Marley, when his metal detector started beeping.

He dug up the treasure but couldn’t make out what it was. So he hurriedly bundled up the muddy object and took it home to wash down.

The bomb head still contained internal wiring and was taken away for disposal. Luckily, it did not contain any explosive material. It is believed to have been used in practice bomb runs during World War II.

IANS 2012-12-28 20:12:04