Bomb disposal team called out after hand grenade found on beach
'I thought it was just a chunk of metal ore, and picked it up...'
Last updated 23rd Feb 2026
A relieved dad's been recalling the moment he picked up a hand grenade on the beach in Berwick - before realising what he had in his hands and alerting the emergency services.
KDee Knox was walking near Haven Caravan Park with his wife and four-year-old son when they made the surprise discovery yesterday (Sunday).
"It was quite a shock really," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"(We) were doing a bit of beachcombing, looking for sea glass and stuff like that, and I saw it.
"At first, I thought it was just a chunk of metal ore, and I picked it up and turned it over. I didn't really know what it was, I just placed it back on the ground.
"And then, it was about ten minutes later, I messaged some friends and family asking their thoughts on what it might be, and they mentioned it looked like a bomb, or something of that nature."
WATCH: Click on the link below to view footage from the scene...
A quick search online confirmed their fears.
The cliff-top path overlooking Murphy's Beach was sealed off while the scene was made safe, and a bomb disposal team from the British Army was called in to carry out a controlled explosion.
The explosive device - which has a distinctive pineapple design - is believed to date back to the Second World War.
Mr Knox said: "I Googled other grenades and bombs that have been washed up on British shores from World War One and Two, and it looked exactly liked that, so I called the Coastguard.
"They met me at the beach and I pointed it out to them.
"The Coastguard responded almost right away. Within maybe ten minutes there was four of them there and they were great guys - they thanked me and shook my hand."
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Video footage shared online shows the moment the hand grenade was destroyed in a controlled explosion.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "Recent storms and unsettled weather across the UK can increase the likelihood of unidentified objects washing up on beaches.
"Although it’s rare to find unexploded ordnance, bad weather and high tides can expose items of all shapes and sizes.
"If you come across something unusual or suspect it could be unexploded ordnance, please don’t try to touch it or move it.
"Instead, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. We will respond with our partner agencies to keep people safe and ensure the item in question is disposed of correctly."
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