Man still in coma after explosion
Taranaki wedding photographer and videographer Ben D’Ath was always the first to help others in his industry when trouble struck – now friends and colleagues are returning the favour.
D’Ath is in Waikato Hospital in an induced coma following a gas explosion and fire at his New Plymouth flat on Tuesday, December 29, in which he was seriously burnt.
The New Plymouth man was scheduled to film as many as 12 weddings over the summer but will almost certainly be unable to do so. But because those commitments were on his phone and laptop, which were destroyed in the fire, his family and friends are working to track down the couples whose days he won’t be able to record and make sure they are covered.
The 26-year-old had been working in the industry for about five years, friend and filmmaker Mark Lahood said.
He was shocked when he first heard about the explosion.
‘‘My second thought was oh s..., he’s going to have wedding bookings,’’ he said. ‘‘This is the happiest day of their lives.’’
Lahood said he and Ben had recently discussed their busy seasons, and he thought his friend probably had about 10-12 weddings booked this year.
But so far they had only tracked down four couples.
Lahood said he and others in the industry, such as Sofie Park of New Plymouth florist Petal and Prickle, got together to try to find more couples and see if they could lend a hand in Ben’s absence.
‘‘Everyone’s just trying to help where they can.’’
Lahood said his friend was always the first person to put his hand up to help others out.
‘‘Ben would have done the same for us,’’ Lahood said. ‘‘It wasn’t like a chore for him, he’s an amazing dude.’’
Ben’s Melbourne-based sister Emma D’Ath said he was being kept in the coma for a few weeks because his airways were inflamed from his burns.
While his recovery is the priority, Emma had been working with Lahood to try help out from afar as she’s stuck in Australia and can’t get a spot in managed isolation until March.
Ben’s situation does not allow her to get an exemption.
‘‘We’re feeling a bit hopeless over here,’’ Emma said. ‘‘It’s
really frustrating.’’
Emma said the family was still waiting on more information about what had caused the explosion, which burnt about 30 per cent of Ben’s body.
‘‘He was right there when it happened,’’ she said. ‘‘They’re going to have to do some skin grafting.’’
Worksafe is now investigating the incident as Energy Safety, the regulator for ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas, is part of their organisation.
In an emailed statement, a Worksafe spokeswoman said she was unable to provide any more information as the investigation was under way.
Anyone who had wedding videography or any other work booked with Ben should contact marklahoodfilms@gmail.com, Emma said.
A Givealittle page called ‘Leticia Nixon & Ben D’Ath emergency fund’ has been created for the couple.