Pipe bomb explodes in man's hands on Gold Coast
A pipe bomb today exploded in the hands of an unsuspecting dog walker on the Gold Coast.
The 56-year-old man found the device lying on the ground in the car park of the Bunnings on Olsen Avenue while walking his dogs about 10am.
Believing it to be a toolbox, he picked it up and continued walking while opening it.
A bomb squad expert checks the device. 9News
The device was actually safe the moment it went off as it only contained a single shot. 9News
About 500 metres away on Edmund Rice Drive, it exploded.
It caused injuries to his hands, abdomen and pelvis.
A nearby school and aged care centre were locked down as police responded.
Barry Smith from Queensland Police said the device was secured in less than 20 minutes.
"When it discharged it actually deactivated itself, there was only a single shot so it was safe once it went off the first time," he said.
Police do not yet know if the device was planted but say it appears sinister.
Police are unsure if the device was planted, and who by. 9News
They believe the man may have touched something on the device, causing it to detonate.
"It could have been a lot worse, the gentleman is very lucky," he said.
The man is in a stable condition.
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