Worker blasted into the air by gas explosion
VIDEO SHOWS MAN BEING SENT SKYWARD AS MACHINE HITS A GAS MAIN IN FARMER’S FIELD
DRAMATIC images show the moment a workman is blasted into the air by a gas explosion.
A video provided to the Derby Telegraph captures the shocking moment when a gas main bursts on a farm in the village of Wessington, near Alfreton.
The incident happened on Tuesday morning and is believed to have resulted in residents from 30 nearby homes being evacuated from the area as gas poured from the ruptured pipe.
The Derby Telegraph understands that the individual in the footage was not badly hurt.
Firefighters and gas experts attended the scene, and access to the area for vehicles was blocked for several hours.
The footage, which can be viewed on the Derbyshire Live website, shows a fencing contractor carrying out work on a farm off Brackenfield Lane when things suddenly take an explosive turn.
Alan Brown, a Wessington resident who captured the dramatic video on his home security system, said: “It’s from my CCTV. It’s my property to the edge but the field belongs to the farmer.
“The guy in the video is apparently a fencing contractor to the farmer. In some of my longer footage you can see him running down the field, so I think he’s okay.”
At the time of the incident, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said that the risk of the leaking gas igniting meant that people would have to stay away from their homes for several hours as the scene was made safe.
The gas distribution network Cadent confirmed on Tuesday that the damage was caused after the gas pipe was hit by a third party.
A spokesperson said: “Cadent engineers worked through the night on an emergency repair after a pipe was hit by a third party on Brackenfield Lane in Wessington on the morning of June 21.
“Our teams have made everything safe and remain on site to complete the repair work.
“There has been no interruption to the local gas supply. Households that were evacuated yesterday as a safety precaution have now been able to return home. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience.
“This was a great response by the emergency services, including our team, in making sure everyone was kept safe.
“If you ever smell gas, here or anywhere, it is important to act immediately and call the national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.”