Magnet fisherman hoists tens of small explosive devices from Northampton canal

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A magnet fisherman has described the “gut-wrenching” moment he pulled 52 track explosives out of a canal in Northampton Track explosives are, according to the Rail Safety and Standards Board, small explosives that can be placed on the surface of train tracks and, when run over by trains, cause a loud bang and alert the driver to a hazard ahead. Dave Jordan, a 44-year-old small business owner from Northampton, was magnet fishing on the Grand Union Canal, Northampton, when he retrieved the 52 explosives. A British Army bomb disposal team conducted a “controlled explosion” of the objects, a statement from Northamptonshire Police said. Police said they were called at 9.50am on Thursday “following reports that a man magnet fishing had pulled up a number of track explosives”.