A man suffered life-threatening burns Monday after a portable
toilet he was using exploded, apparently after he lit a
cigarette.
The victim, who was taking part in a joint Australia-United
States military exercise at the time, was rushed to hospital with
burns to his head, face, arms, chest and airways after the incident
at Rockhampton airport.
"There was some sort of explosion in a portaloo. It's believed
the man was lighting a cigarette at the time," a Department of
Community Safety spokeswoman said.
The Australian Defence Force confirmed the explosion happened
during the Talisman Sabre joint military exercises, and said the
injured man belonged to the Royal Australian Air Force.
"The Royal Australian Air Force member received immediate first
aid from his colleagues and he was taken to the Rockhampton Base
Hospital with severe burns," said spokesman Brigadier Bob
Brown.
