A man has recounted how he was left 'terrified' after police cars boxed him in while he was driving through Dudley, all because of skeleton models on his back seat.
Misunderstanding Leads to Police Intervention
Luke Orchard, a 38-year-old lecturer at Dudley College, was traveling on Castle Gate Island when police received a report of a car with what appeared to be two dead bodies on the back seat. The items in question were actually model skeletons used by Orchard for teaching and during performances with his band, Tumanduumband.
Orchard told the BBC that he was surprised to see multiple police cars on Saturday, April 18, and initially thought something else was happening nearby. He was playing loud music at the time and did not immediately realize he was being targeted.
Speaking to the broadcaster, he said: 'I pulled over again and then they boxed me in and it was me that they were after. They all got out and surrounded my car; asked me who I was and where I was going. When I asked what was wrong, they said somebody had reported a car driving around with two dead bodies, then it all clicked. I am that used to having them [the model skeletons] in the car that I'd forgotten it was a thing.'
Aftermath and Future Precautions
Orchard admitted he was 'shaken up' by the incident but later found the experience 'really funny.' He now plans to cover up the models when traveling in his car, even though he previously used them to deter thieves.
West Midlands Police confirmed to the BBC that they responded to a call from a concerned member of the public and verified that the skeletons were props.
