Two employees of the Wilmington Public Works Department were injured this morning after something apparently exploded in their trash truck.
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At around 7:20 this morning firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched to the unit block of Vandever Avenue for reports of a victim with burn injuries due to an explosion.
As additional details emerged crews learned that a second patient was suffering from shrapnel wounds. Trooper 4 was then alerted and responded to the scene.
Wilmington Fire Department’s Squad 4 arrived on location immediately after dispatch and quickly began assessing both workers, said Battalion Chief John Looney.
Shortly thereafter Command reported that a pressurized container exploded when it was being compacted inside the trash truck.
Wilmington Police released a statement that said the preliminary investigation indicates that sanitation workers were loading refuse into their truck and began to compress the trash. At that time, one of the workers noticed a tank was in the truck, and as the compressor came down it caused the tank to explode.
One worker, a 40-year-old male, sustained a critical chest injury and was flown to the Trauma Center at Christiana Hospital in Stanton. He was conscious and alert on scene and is listed in critical condition.
Another worker, a 42-year-old male, was transported to Wilmington Hospital by ambulance after complaining that he was having difficulty breathing, according to Looney.
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