A tiny but dangerous widget fell off a truck on a remote road in Western Australia. It was radioactive. Now, it has been found after a search of the massive desert.
The widget, about the size of a pea, went missing last month. It probably happened when it was being carried on a truck from an iron ore mine in the Pilbara region to a depot in Perth.
The device was used at the mines to measure the density of iron ore.
The road is hundreds of miles long and it passes through vast areas of desert where nobody lives.
Health authorities warned anyone who saw the widget not to pick it up.
The widget was lost for about a week. Search teams used radiation detection devices and metal detectors. "We're using the radiation detectors to locate the gamma rays," said policeman Darryl Ray.
Officials said the widget was finally found south of the town of Newman on the Great Northern Highway. It was found by a search vehicle travelling at 70km per hour when its special equipment detected radiation coming from the widget.
Search equipment was then used to locate it 2 metres from the side of the road.
"This is an extraordinary result … they have literally found the needle in the haystack," said Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson.
"I think West Australians can sleep better tonight."
Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson said no injuries had been reported.
The mine's chief executive, Simon Trott, apologised for the accident. He thanked the search crews, and said his mining company will be changing the way it transports radioactive materials.
Five things to know about
1. Western Australia is one of the states that make up Australia. It is the largest state, covering one-third of the continent.
2. Despite its large size, not many people live there. In fact, less than 3 million people live in 2,527,013 square kilometres.
3. Most people in Western Australia live in the far southwest coast, around the capital city of Perth. Away from the coast, the land is mostly desert.
4. Lots of people work in mining, and it is big business. Western Australia is the largest iron ore producer in the world. It also produces oil and gas.
5. Western Australia is home to around 630 species of birds. There is a range of animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and quokkas.
