Man burnt at boatyard 'critical'

Explosion site: Princess Yachts in Plympton

A boatyard worker is still in a critical condition in hospital after he suffered 83% burns from an explosion at a Plymouth yard.

The accident happened just after 1520 GMT on Monday at Princess Yachts in Coypool Road in Plympton.

A 20-year-old man, from Saltash in Cornwall, was cleaning a tank used to store chemicals which he had been lowered in to when it blew up.

He was taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth before being airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol for specialist treatment at the hospital's burns unit.

Winched out

The man had been lowered into the tank on a harness to carry out his work.

The explosion caused damage to the ceiling of the industrial unit in which the tank was kept.

The man was winched out and was given first aid by members of Devon Fire and Rescue Service and a paramedic fast-response team.

One man who helped free the victim was overcome by fumes but not seriously injured.

Family visit

After being assessed at Derriford Hospital, the man was then airlifted by a helicopter from RAF Chivenor to Bristol for further treatment. He was put on a ventilator.

Sharon Newman of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Members of the man's family were taken up to hospital last night to be with him.

"Scenes of crime officers attended the scene and took photographs which will be passed to the Health and Safety Executive, who will carry out the investigation."

Police say the incident is not considered to be suspicious.

Safety inspectors have said they cannot yet tell why the explosion happened.