Man seriously injured in military re-enactment
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:43 am
Man seriously injured in military re-enactment explosion
Jane Harper October 13th, 2008
AN EXPLOSION during a military re-enactment event has left a Geelong man hospitalised with severe injuries.
The 52-year-old member of the Geelong branch of the Military Historical Society of Australia had three fingers severed in the incident, fractured both wrists and suffered serious burns to his neck and face, according to an ambulance service spokesman.
The man, who is reportedly trained in pyrotechnics, was hit by a wall of flame in the explosion yesterday morning during a clean-up operation he was leading after a re-enactment at a farm in Inverleigh Rd, Winchelsea.
"One of the pyrotechnicians attempted to throw a 200-litre drum, which had not exploded during the re-enactment sequence, on the fire during the clean-up," Captain Rod Taylor from Winchelsea Fire Brigade said. "When he threw the drum, it just blew up, injuring his hands and face."
It is believed the drum was filled with acetyline gas. Emergency crews, including an air ambulance, were called to the property near Barwon Park just after 10am yesterday.
The man was flown from the park to Melbourne's The Alfred hospital, where he was last night in a "serious" condition.A spokesman for the ambulance service said the man's injuries might have been worse had he not turned his head away at the moment the container exploded.
Capt Taylor said the incident was a stark warning to anyone dealing with explosive or flammable materials.
"These aren't toys and there are processes and protocol to be followed," he said. "This gentleman is licensed and has been doing this for many years, but still these things can happen."
Steve Chilvers, secretary for the Geelong branch of the Military Historical Society, said members were shaken and were thinking of the victim.
"Obviously all our thoughts are with him at this time, and we wish him only the best," Mr Chilvers said.WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said the organisation would be speaking to police about the explosion.
"The things that hurt or kill people most in Victoria are the routine tasks," he said. "It's believed this victim was a licensed pyrotechnician and it shows if this can happen to experts, it can happen to anyone."
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/art ... _news.html
Jane Harper October 13th, 2008
AN EXPLOSION during a military re-enactment event has left a Geelong man hospitalised with severe injuries.
The 52-year-old member of the Geelong branch of the Military Historical Society of Australia had three fingers severed in the incident, fractured both wrists and suffered serious burns to his neck and face, according to an ambulance service spokesman.
The man, who is reportedly trained in pyrotechnics, was hit by a wall of flame in the explosion yesterday morning during a clean-up operation he was leading after a re-enactment at a farm in Inverleigh Rd, Winchelsea.
"One of the pyrotechnicians attempted to throw a 200-litre drum, which had not exploded during the re-enactment sequence, on the fire during the clean-up," Captain Rod Taylor from Winchelsea Fire Brigade said. "When he threw the drum, it just blew up, injuring his hands and face."
It is believed the drum was filled with acetyline gas. Emergency crews, including an air ambulance, were called to the property near Barwon Park just after 10am yesterday.
The man was flown from the park to Melbourne's The Alfred hospital, where he was last night in a "serious" condition.A spokesman for the ambulance service said the man's injuries might have been worse had he not turned his head away at the moment the container exploded.
Capt Taylor said the incident was a stark warning to anyone dealing with explosive or flammable materials.
"These aren't toys and there are processes and protocol to be followed," he said. "This gentleman is licensed and has been doing this for many years, but still these things can happen."
Steve Chilvers, secretary for the Geelong branch of the Military Historical Society, said members were shaken and were thinking of the victim.
"Obviously all our thoughts are with him at this time, and we wish him only the best," Mr Chilvers said.WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said the organisation would be speaking to police about the explosion.
"The things that hurt or kill people most in Victoria are the routine tasks," he said. "It's believed this victim was a licensed pyrotechnician and it shows if this can happen to experts, it can happen to anyone."
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/art ... _news.html
