Wamberal Beach closed after a ‘hand grenade’ discovery

Beachgoers were evacuated from Wamberal after the discovery of what appeared to be a hand grenade on Sunday afternoon. Luckily it turned out to be less sinister.

Object resembling a hand grenade was discovered at Wamberal Beach. Picture: Terrigal Fire Station

A frightening discovery forced the partial closure of Wamberal Beach on Sunday evening.

As Wamberal Surf Lifesaving Club lifesavers were packing up for the day, an object resembling a hand grenade was identified in at the beach.

Object resembling a hand grenade was discovered at Wamberal Beach . Picture: Terrigal Fire Station

The object was hidden next to a wooden pole surrounded by grass and had M. 26 engraved on it along with a ring.

Surf lifesavers sprung into action, establishing an exclusion zone and calling police to the scene.

The discovery. Picture: Terrigal Fire Station

The object resembled a hand grenade. Picture: Terrigal Fire Station

A crew form Terrigal Fire Station was also called to assist the bomb squad and Defence Australia to identify the object.

“Terrigal crew, NSW Police and detectives inspected the object, Police liaised with the bomb squad and Defence Australia to determine the exact nature of the object … which was found to be a cigarette lighter shaped as a hand grenade,” Terrigal Fire Station posted to Facebook.

“A great multi-agency effort with a very good outcome.”