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Chester County Press

New Garden employee hurt in explosion

04/21/2015 02:09PM ● By Richard Gaw


New Garden Township Police responded to an explosion that occurred at the New Garden Public Works Facility on April 20, that resulted in a serious injury to a 25-year-old township employee's right hand.

The accident occurred sometime after 8 a.m. at the township facility on the 8900 block of Gap-Newport Pike, during the time the employee was working with three other employees to sort metals and other materials that were collected at the township's annual spring clean-up, held last weekend. During this time, the employee discovered a non descript cylinder object, which was later identified as an active, self-deploying parachute used for an ultralight aircraft.

When the employee held the object, it ignited and deployed in his hand. When the New Garden Police Department arrived on the scene, the victim was being assisted by his employees. He was transported by Avondale Station #23 ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Stanton, De., where he was admitted. He suffered a serious, but non-life threatening injury to his hand.

The New Garden Township Police are currently reviewing surveillance cameras used during the last weekend's annual clean-up, in order to identify the the individual who deposited the device. Ironically, the cameras were installed at the facility last week, mainly to provide better protection of township materials.

The investigation has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division.

"It is very likely that someone did not know what it was when they discarded it, but if someone did know, there may be some concern regarding reckless endangering," said New Garden Township Police Chief Gerald Simpson.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].