'Dead bodies' report to police were prop skeletons
Luke OrchardA special effects artist says he was "terrified" after being pulled over by police when two prop skeletons he was carrying were mistaken for real bodies.
Luke Orchard, 38, is a lecturer at Dudley College and uses the models as a teaching tool as well as when he performs with his metal band Tumanduumband.
He said he was driving home from the gym when he was "boxed in" by several police cars.
West Midlands Police said they received a call from a concerned member of the public and officers confirmed the skeletons were props.
The force said it received the reports of the skeletons being seen inside a car on Castle Gate Island in Dudley on Saturday, at 13:30 BST.
Luke Orchard"I had my music really loud as normal, driving along, couple of police cars went past full speed," Orchard said.
"So I pulled over and then carried on and then there was another couple that came past and I thought: 'Goodness me, something is going on.'
"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 in the car that I'd forgotten it was a thing.
"I was still really shaken up... about half an hour afterwards I'd calmed down and found it really funny, but at the time it was not funny."
He said he normally carried the skeletons sat up in the back seat of his car as it made it easier to transport along with his musical equipment, and because "it might put people off trying to nick my car".
"I've been covering them up with a shirt at the moment, I'm certainly not having them on show any more," he said.
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