Newark couple discover suspected unexploded bomb in River Trent

A couple have been left shocked after unexpectedly fishing what appears to be an unexploded bomb out of the River Trent.

Steve and Leanda Hillier were clearing rubbish from an area of the river on their land, off Mill Lane, Newark, this afternoon (September 18), when they found the suspected unexploded explosive device.

At first, they did not realise what it was, until Steve had pulled it from the water.

“My husband was just clearing old debris from the island,” Leanda said.

“He just saw something in the water and thought it was a blue bag, so he picked it up. It’s not at all [what you expect to find], in the water it really did just look like a bag.

“It was only knee deep in the water.”

The landowners called the police to report the device, which Steve had put down on the river bank.

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed it received a call at 4.36pm relating to the discovery of an UED in the river.

Officers are currently in the process of securing the site. No plans are currently in place to evacuate the area.

“They’re waiting for someone to come and remove it,” Leanda added.

“They did bomb NSK during the Second World War, and when you think about it it’s not that far.”