Man’s legs blown off in backyard explosion

By Bridget Cook
A PAKENHAM man lost both legs in a backyard chemical explosion in Cannons Creek on Sunday night.
A Cannons Creek man, 23, was also critically injured when the chemicals the men were mixing in a cylinder or metal container exploded in the backyard of the Currawong Grove property at 11.15pm.
Senior Detective Cameron Lunny, from the arson squad, said the two men were just “mucking around” at a party with about 10-15 family friends when they made the improvised explosive device.
“At this point in time, there’s no rhyme or reason for it, they were just mucking around and experimenting,” he said.
“They were standing right over it, trying to burying the mix of chemicals in a mound of dirt when it exploded.”
Sen Det Lunny said the incident was proof to others that mixing chemicals was a dangerous act.
“It’s very fortunate,” he said.
“It could have been a lot worse with that many people standing around.
“As much as we say not to, people are still willing to give it a try and think that something like this won’t happen to them. Don’t do it, it’s so dangerous.”
The 24-year-old Pakenham man was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries and the Cannons Creek man was taken to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition.
Intensive care paramedic Ben Meadley attended the incident, likening the Pakenham man’s injuries to those found during a war situation, rather than in outer suburban Melbourne. “He also had severe airway burns and facial burns,” Mr Meadley said. The man was given a blood transfusion at the scene.
The 23 year-old man has burns to his face and arms and burns to his airway which can cause swelling and restrict breathing.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au