‘Human kneecap’ washed up on beach was just a sea potato

Reports of human remains at a family beach turned out to be an oddly-shaped sea urchin.

Furness Coastguard were called out on Sunday night to a report of a potential kneecap being washed up on a beach at Earnse Bay, in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Cumbria Police were also called to the scene, and a search was carried out after the informant placed a traffic cone next to the mystery item so it could be found.

The oddly-shaped beige item was sitting in a pile of rocks, and when flipped over, revealed a pink flesh-like texture.

But the coastguard have since said the expected gory discovery appeared instead to be a Sea Pork or a Sea Potato – both are a form of sea urchin.

The report was later closed as both FC and the police agreed it was not a kneecap.

A spokesperson for Furness Coastguard said: ‘Furness Coastguard were called out tonight to an initial report of a potential body part washed up on the beach at Earnse Bay.

‘Cumbria Police were also in attendance, and a search was carried out. Luckily, the informant had placed a washed-up traffic cone next to the item. We located the item, which appeared to be either Sea Pork or a Sea Potato. Both are a form of sea urchin.

‘The team agreed that the item was not a knee cap as originally reported, and the Police agreed. We would like to thank the informant for raising their concerns and placing a marker next to the item.

‘If a traffic cone is not available, please download the What3Words app and this will give you a location accurate to a meter square. If in danger on the coast or one of the four navigable lakes, Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater or Derwent Water, then dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The post has since caused a social media storm, with one saying they thought it was a ‘bacon bap’ or a ‘ham sandwich’.

One other commented: ‘”Can someone please explain what body part this looks like im so confused.’

Another said: ‘Bloody hell, what had they been smoking?’