Two men taken to hospital with burn injuries after ‘explosion’ on vessel at Lymington Yacht Haven
Emergency services rushed to a suspected explosion aboard a vessel moored at Lymington Yacht Haven.
The incident, which happened at around 12.50pm, resulted in two casualties being transported to Southampton General Hospital with burns after the yacht they were aboard caught fire.
Emergency services at the scene included Lymington Coastguard, the RNLI, ambulance crews, the fire brigade, air ambulance and police.
A Lymington HM Coastguard spokesperson confirmed the incident began after a flash fire started below deck, with two males aboard.
He said: “Both males sustained burn injuries, they were treated by the heli-med helicopter and the helimed personnel are onboard the ambulance so there is a doctor with them.”
“One man was in a worse condition than the other.”
The Lymington Coastguard team are based at the town’s Berthon Boatyard, so after receiving an emergency call at 12.50pm they were on the scene at Lymington Yacht Haven within five minutes.
The spokesperson added: ”Lymington Lifeboat was launched. Lymington Coastguard provided first aid, safety cover and evacuation from the vessel.”
No other damage was sustained to any other vessels, and no one else apart from the men aboard the yacht was hurt in the incident.
“We believe it was a flash fire rather than a continuous fire – which means it started from an explosion,” added the spokesperson.
A spokesperson from Lymington Lifeboat said of the two casualties, one had significant burn injuries to his face, hands, and legs.
“Lifeboat crew administered emergency first aid to both victims, cooling and wrapping burns along with administering a nebuliser to negate any risk of inhalation burns,” the spokesperson added.
Lifeboat crewman James Douch said: “All the rescue services and marina staff worked together seamlessly to administer vital casualty care. We wish the casualties a speedy recovery.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance confirmed the air ambulance, carrying a doctor and specialist paramedic, was sent to the scene.
“Following treatment on scene, two patients were taken to hospital via road ambulance, with the air ambulance crew also in attendance, for further treatment,” a HIOWAA spokesperson said.
