THERE were two incidents on Dartmoor last Sunday requiring the attendance of the emergency services.
The first, at Hexworthy at 12.20pm, involved a small gas bottle which exploded causing flash burns to the front upper body and legs of a man in a layby on the B3357 near Hexworthy Bridge. Princetown fire crew were first on the scene and administered first aid until an ambulance and the air ambulance arrived.
The casualty was taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital and an Ambulance Service spokesman said the pilot of the air ambulance had shown great skill in landing near to the patient.
A fire service spokesman said the man had been changing a gas bottle, and in the hot conditions a vapour cloud had formed and exploded. The casualty?s injuries were less than could have been the case, he said. He reminded people to take extra care at this time of year when changing or using gas cylinders, and change them in a well-ventilated area away from heat and flames.
The second incident, just after 3pm, involved an Austrian lady about 60 years old who was with a party of tourists at Postbridge and who was in collision with a silver Renault Laguna car. Tavistock ambulance and the air ambulance attended along with the police and the lady was taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital, where she arrived after an eight minute journey.
The lady suffered a fractured skull, but was said to be in a stable condition. The driver of the car, who was from Bude, was uninjured. Police ask witnesses to call 08705 777444.