Caravan explosion in Cornwall leaves man with life-changing injuries

A man has been left with life-changing injuries after an alleged gas explosion in a caravan at the weekend. The victim of the explosion, a 40-year-old man, was pulled from his caravan by the blast and is currently in hospital receiving treatment.

At around 6.45pm on Sunday evening (May 12), police officers were called to a property in Buzzard Rise, near Gunnislake, following a suspected gas explosion.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing several emergency services in the area at the time of the incident. Fire engines, ambulances and police were seen, a Royal Navy bomb disposal unit was also called to the scene.

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A 100m cordon was put in place at the time and remains in place today (May 14). There is not believed to be a wider risk to the public, but a police spokesman confirmed officers will remain at the scene.

Chief Inspector Julian Pezzani said: “We are investigating the cause of the explosion so at this time emergency services remain at the scene at the caravan and the surrounding area.

“We are working closely with partner agencies in what could be a prolonged emergency service response. While this is underway, a 100m cordon is in place to ensure staff can work safely and to ensure the safety of members of the public.

“We do not believe there is a greater risk to the community at this time and there is likely to be a high visibility presence here until tomorrow and we appreciate the patience of the local community at this time.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: We were called at 6.23pm on Sunday 12 May to an incident near Gunnislake.

“We sent a dual manned ground ambulance, an operations officer, an air ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to the scene and transported a patient by ground ambulance to Derriford Hospital.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service was unable to provide any further information.

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