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Metal detectorist's dangerous find at popular swimming spot


A man has shared a warning online after discovering an artillery shell near a popular swimming spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Shay Burgess, who is a hobby metal detectorist, told Yahoo7 he had been using his detector when he came across the large shell just off the walking track near Robe street in the Currimundi lake area on Sunday.

Mr Burgess posted about his find on the Sunshine Coast Community Board Facebook Group on Monday and said: “As many would have seen, there are signs that advise that there is unexploded ammunition in the area.”

He explained the large shell was less than 15 centimetres below the surface.

“I did a scale measurement of the picture, the weight of it when I dug it up and looking up information on rifling patterns, it all points to be a Ordnance Qf 6 lb field gun shell,” Mr Burgess told Yahoo7.

‎Shay Burgess‎ posted online about his discovery on Monday. Source: Sunshine Coast Community Board/ Facebook
‎Shay Burgess‎ posted online about his discovery on Monday. Source: Sunshine Coast Community Board/ Facebook

He said he covered the shell up and contacted police, before showing the officers who arrived on scene where it was.

“At face value, it looks very cool and harmless, but despite their age, they can be very unstable and could still be very much alive,” Mr Burgess warned in his post online.

Mr Burgess said there are signs advising that there is unexploded ammunition in the area. Source: Supplied, ‎Shay Burgess
Mr Burgess said there are signs advising that there is unexploded ammunition in the area. Source: Supplied, ‎Shay Burgess

“There are still many buried and yet to surface again, so please heed the warnings, teach your kids what to do if they find any old shells and call the police.”

Mr Burgess said the army had been notified about his discovery and believed someone would be sent to retrieve the shell.

Yahoo7 News has contacted Queensland Police and the ADF for comment.