Colin Smith, known as The Bearded Explorer, shares astonishing finds from a derelict bank, where money and security measures were surprisingly left behind.
An urban explorer, known on social media as The Bearded Explorer, has uncovered surprising remnants inside an abandoned bank in the UK, which he was permitted to explore. Colin Smith, who boasts a following of 91,000 on TikTok, shared his discovery through a series of videos that highlighted the intriguing elements left behind in the derelict building.
Smith revealed that the site had been sold to developers several years ago, but no further development had taken place. He expressed his surprise at the condition of the premises, suggesting, “I can only imagine that the key was lost and they never bothered to look for it. Absolutely crazy!”
Upon entering the three-storey structure, Smith had heard reports of an existing vault, which heightened his interest. He described the former reception area as being almost bare, save for a blue carpet, and noted the fading outlines where ATM machines once stood. He pointed out large, heavy chains on the floor – remnants of security measures that were presumably implemented to protect the machines from theft.
During his exploration, Smith located the vault, characterised by its thick, solid door. He expressed his astonishment at its construction, stating, “God, look at that door. Look how thick it is. That is crazy and it’s absolutely solid.” However, he also observed that a door next to the vault appeared to have been forced open under unknown circumstances.
The bewilderment continued as Smith ventured into a dark, padlocked room cluttered with paperwork. His most shocking find was an open cabinet revealing sealed bags of £20 notes, along with a crumpled £10 note and even a roll of toilet paper. In disbelief, he exclaimed, “You’re kidding me – they have actually left money in the safe. That is absolutely crazy – I cannot believe it.” He speculated on the possibility that, despite the sale of the building, the previous owner may be aware of the cash but unable to access it due to the locked door.
Smith noted that the room’s security potentially included an active alarm system, as he observed electrical wiring around the door. He added, “The power is still on. Well, there you go, I never expected to see money in there.”
Earlier this month, Colin Smith also explored another abandoned site, the former British Forces Maintenance Area West of the Rhine, which he found to be extensive and largely unprepared for during his initial visit. He has expressed intentions to return to this location to continue his explorations, including visits to the main hospital and other facilities nearby.
The unexpected discoveries within the old bank have sparked interest among his followers, contributing to the intrigue surrounding urban exploration and the remnants of spaces that once held significance.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBeardedExplorer – This URL provides information about The Bearded Explorer’s activities as an urban explorer, supporting the claim that he explores abandoned and derelict sites. It highlights his presence on social media, which matches the article’s description.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-pOQYNKgXY – This video showcases The Bearded Explorer exploring an abandoned bank with a significant vault, corroborating the article’s details about his exploration of derelict buildings, including the discovery of a vault.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Although the specific article isn’t linked, this website might have the source material discussed. However, without a direct link to the article, it’s speculative.
- https://www.mass.gov/guide-to-evidence/article-xi-miscellaneous – This legal document doesn’t directly support the article’s claims but can be used to understand legal aspects related to evidence and property, though it’s more relevant to legal proceedings than urban exploration.
- https://www.courts.michigan.gov/492eca/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/evidence/evidbb.pdf – Similar to the Massachusetts guide, this document focuses on legal evidence procedures and does not directly corroborate the article’s claims but provides insights into legal contexts around evidence.
- https://instagram.com/thebeardedexplorer_?igshid=1uuwvfmak8iv2 – This Instagram link supports the claim that The Bearded Explorer shares his explorations on social media platforms, including visual evidence of his adventures.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The content seems recent due to its availability on TikTok and current exploration events. However, there is no specific date mentioned in the narrative, which might limit its freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes appear to be from Colin Smith’s TikTok exploration videos, but there are no verifiable sources linking these quotes to an earlier original publication or interview.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from a tabloid source, which may not always adhere to rigorous journalistic standards. The reliability is uncertain without further verification from respected outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
While the details seem plausible, the discovery of abandoned money in an old bank could be exaggerated or staged. Lacking external verification, the narrative remains plausible but unconfirmed.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative’s freshness is supported by its recent nature, but the reliability of the source and the plausibility of the claims lack stronger validation. The quotes are not sourced to an earlier, verifiable context. Therefore, the story remains open and warrants further verification.
