Father and Son Stumble Upon Historic WWII Bomb During Beach Treasure Hunt
In a remarkable turn of events, a father and his son embarked on what they thought would be a simple beachcombing adventure at Birubi beach, only to uncover a piece of explosive history. Dylan Parker and his 16-year-old son were exploring the sand dunes late on a Sunday afternoon, hoping to find hidden treasures, when their attention was captured by a rusty object protruding from the ground.
Growing up with a deep knowledge of the military history in the Port Stephens region, including school excursions focused on target ranges, Mr. Parker immediately suspected the significance of their find. "I thought, 'it couldn't be'," he recounted to the Newcastle Herald. After digging a bit further, his suspicions were confirmed: they had unearthed an unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World War II.
Massive 500-Pound Bomb Requires Immediate Military Response
The object was later identified by specialists from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a 500-pound general purpose bomb from World War II. Mr. Parker expressed that while he wasn't entirely shocked given the area's military past, he was "a bit surprised" by the sheer size of the explosive device. Recognizing the danger, the pair wisely stepped back and contacted authorities without delay.
Police responded swiftly, evacuating Birubi beach and establishing a one-kilometre exclusion zone both on land and in the water to ensure public safety. The ADF's Joint Explosive Ordnance Support NSW team was called to the scene to assess the situation. Using standard procedures, the team safely disposed of the bomb onsite with a controlled detonation just after 2pm on Monday, February 23.
Community Reacts to Explosive Discovery and Detonation
The detonation resonated across the bay area, with residents reporting hearing a loud boom and feeling the ground shake. Mr. Parker, who missed the explosion, humorously noted that he would have liked a front-row seat to such a historic event. When asked if this was the best treasure he had ever found while beachcombing, he replied it was "up there," adding, "Unfortunately can't take it home though."
This incident highlights the ongoing presence of unexploded ordnance in certain coastal areas, particularly in regions like Birubi, Stockton beach, and the Worimi area, which are marked on the ADF's UXO mapping tool. Unexploded ordnance refers to military ammunition or explosives that have been fired but failed to function as intended, posing significant risks if disturbed.
Safety Warnings and Public Awareness
The ADF has issued a stern warning to the public: if you encounter a suspicious item that may be a UXO, do not touch or disturb it. Instead, contact police immediately so that military experts can be dispatched to handle the situation safely. This proactive approach is crucial to preventing accidents and ensuring community well-being in areas with historical military activity.
This extraordinary find serves as a vivid reminder of the hidden dangers that can lie beneath our feet, even in seemingly tranquil beach settings. It underscores the importance of vigilance and proper reporting when dealing with potential explosives, blending a touch of adventure with a serious lesson in public safety.
