Bomb found in Worcester river is live artillery shell

Magnet fishers pulled the shell from the River Severn leading to the emergency services being called on Tuesday, (September 19). 

Due to the reports of an unexpected bomb police blocked off the A44 outside Worcester Cathedral at 11am, with cars being diverted back towards Sidbury - already experiencing long delays due to roadworks in London Road.

The device was later blown up in a field near Powick.

Worcester Bridge was closed due to the unexploded ordnance being discovered in the river Severn near the bridge.

DISRUPTION: The disruption in Worcester city centre (Image: Newsquest)

Police shouted 'Turn around!' to a canal boat as it approached the bridge, while others shouted 'There's a bomb!'

The device was moved by a soldier to South Quay, which was closed off, where it was X-rayed by experts before being taken to a field near the Ketch.

BOMB: Bomb disposal squad remove the unexploded device from South Quay (Image: Newsquest)

People gathered on Worcester Bridge to watch the action while New Road to Deanswaywas closed by police.

The bridge and all other roads later re-opened but the closures caused heavy traffic throughout the city centre throughout the afternoon. 

At 1.30pm police issued a warning to residents there would be loud explosion as the device was to be blown up in a field near Powick. 

READ MORE: The moment bomb disposal experts remove unexploded device from riverside

READ MORE:  Bomb found in Worcester exploded in Powick field by Army

READ MORE: Live updates as unexploded 'bomb' discovered in Worcester river

The bomb disposal experts along with police officers gathered on the field near the Ketch viewpoint where a flash of fire and smoke could be seen.

Police revealed that the device was a live artillery shell containing black powder inside and our reporter was on the scene as the bomb disposal experts blew up the device. 

EXPLOSION: The artillery shell controlled explosion (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "New Road in Worcester was closed following the discovery of unexploded ordnance in the River Severn.

"Experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal attended the scene and  moved the EOD so they can do a controlled explosion.

"The(100m) cordon that was in place as a precaution has now been lifted."

We reported last December The Peaky Dippers, which is a group of amateur magnet fishers on YouTube, found an 18-pound artillery shell. 

The discovery of the Second World War shell led to a heavy police presence near the riverside then.

And in March this year Kingfisher Magneteers discovered two devices on the same stretch of canal in Hindlip in March.