The Startling Find a Hiker Made Along a Popular Park Trail: ‘It’s Just Scary’

A hiker made a startling discovery on an Ohio trail Sunday, finding an improvised explosive device in a city park.

Local authorities quickly responded to the scene and neutralized the threat in Cuyahoga Falls' George Metropark.

Image source: WJW-TV

“The hiker found a small item that was cylindrical in shape, wrapped in duct tape with about eight inches of hobby fuse coming out of it,” inspector Bill Holland of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office told WJW-TV.

According to Holland, the IED was laying out in the open on the popular trail.

“It’s a frequently used trail,” Holland told WJW. “I use that trail, runners, hikers, people with their families. You could fish right by that trail."

Image source: WJW-TV

"If it detonated near someone in close proximity it could cause serious bodily harm or even death, depending on where it was when it detonated," he added.

Park visitors said they were alarmed to hear of the IED.

“It’s pretty busy, especially in the summer. A lot of the day cares bring kids here and they play games there; they eat lunch here," Cathy Blakely told WJW.

“It’s just scary. You just never know; you just deal with life every day and stuff like that. Hopefully you are not at the wrong place at the wrong time," Terry Pickenpaugh, who was hiking Tuesday, echoed to the Fox affiliate.

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