PHILLIPS (AP) — School officials in Phillips are relieved that what looked like a pipe bomb found attached to the undercarriage of a school bus turned out to be a harmless model used in training exercises.
But now they want to know how the fake bomb went undetected for four years.
The device, five PVC pipes 8 to 10 inches long and ducttaped together, was tucked away near the fuel tank. It was spotted Tuesday by a driver doing a pre-trip inspection of another bus.
The device prompted the cancellation of school and a massive law enforcement response, including the state police bomb squad.
Sgt. Ken Grimes of the Fire Marshal’s Office tells the Morning Sentinel the training aid was attached to the bus at least four years ago during a safety training session.
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