Severed hand closes A19 in Middlesbrough… but turns out to be fake
Written by News on 21/09/2017
Police closed a main road after the apparent gruesome discovery of a bloody severed hand – only to find it was fake.
Officers shut the A19 near Middlesbrough after a motorist reported seeing a suspicious item on Wednesday evening.
Preparing for a serious investigation, police blocked off the area – but soon realised the hand lying on the gravel was, thankfully, just a prop.
After the discovery, Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit explained the mishap on Facebook.
"In a nutshell, an eagle-eyed diligent member of the motoring public spotted a suspicious looking item in the central reservation," they said.
"Officers have attended and it has been found to be a realistic looking ‘severed hand’.
"No doubt comments will be forthcoming – please! ….."
Facebook users were quick to respond.
"That’s where I put my back scratcher, I’ve been looking all over for it," one user said.
"I wonder if they need a hand to clean up," joked another.
It is not the first time police have been fooled.
Last year, officers were called to reports of a serious assault on the M62 between Manchester and Liverpool – only to discover a man and a woman dressed as zombies.
(c) Sky News 2017: Severed hand closes A19 in Middlesbrough… but turns out to be fake
