Boys find shotgun in street

A 10-year-old school boy was one of the first to come across a semi-automatic shotgun left lying in an Oamaru street yesterday.

Fenwick School pupil Ryan Blair was biking home with a friend down Towey Street about 3.10pm when he saw the weapon in the middle of the road, The Oamaru Mail reported.

A woman, believed to be in her 40s, was already calling police when the boys arrived. She told them to stay back.

Three officers, including Sergeant Wayne Brew, attended the scene and checked if the shotgun was loaded - it wasn't.

Mr Brew said police had identified the owner of the shotgun and were given an explanation as to how the weapon ended in the middle of the road.

Police were still investigating and would not comment further.

- NZPA