A defence worker was airlifted to hospital suffering extensive burns following a fire at the weapons testing base at Foulness.

The 46-year-old received 60 to 90 per cent burns as he worked on an explosive charge at the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory on the north end of the island yesterday at 12.45pm.

It follows an incident eight weeks ago when a worker sustained horrific hand and facial injuries following an explosion at the site.

Sue Ellison, spokeswoman for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, said: "He was the only person injured. We are offering support to the victim's family and his colleagues who are obviously shocked. We have counsellers on hand."

An Essex Ambulance Service spokesman said the worker, who has not been named, was airlifted to the burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

She said: "The air ambulance took him to Chelmsford, before he was transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital burns unit at about 6.20pm. His injuries are severe."

Published Thursday August 15, 2002

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