Members of an army explosive unit was called to a hospital in England after a patient came in with an unexploded WWII artillery shell stuck in his rectum.

Per BBC News, troops from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team were dispatched to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on the morning of Wednesday, December 1, after a male patient came in with the device stuck inside him.

The bomb disposal experts were called in after staff at the hospital successfully removed the device.

The Sun reports that the device was later confirmed to be a second world war 57mm shell - ammunition that was often fired from Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder anti-tank guns.

The publication adds that the unnamed patient claimed to have "slipped and fell" on the 6.7-inch projectile, which was reportedly a part of his private collection of military memorabilia.

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Speaking to The Sun, a source said: "The guy said he found the shell when he was having a clear-out of his stuff.He said he put it on the floor then he slipped and fell on it."

Police confirmed in a statement that had been called to respond to "a report that a patient had presented with a munition in his rectum."

[[imagecaption|| An example of 57mm shells. Credit: Johnny Saunderson / Alamy]]

And a defense spokesperson provided the following statement to The Sun:

"It was a solid shot round. It was a chunky, pointed lump of lead designed to rip through a tank’s armor. It was basically an inert lump of metal, so there was no risk to life — at least not to anyone else’s."

The UK's Military of Defense has also released a short statement confirming the incident.

BBC News reports that Gloucestershire Police confirmed that the artillery shell "was not live and therefore not a danger to the public."

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Royal Hospital also told The Sun: "As with any incident involving munitions, the relevant safety protocols were followed to ensure there was no risk to patients, staff or visitors at any time."

Although the patient could have faced life-threatening injuries, reports say that he has been discharged from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Featured image credit: SWNS / Alamy

Bomb squad called to hospital after man gets WWII artillery shell stuck in his rectum