The tragic deaths of two refrigeration technicians late last year will hopefully prompt van owners and drivers to ensure the safety of vehicles and their contents.
Coronial inquiries are expected in both cases to investigate the exact causes of the recent explosions, which resulted in the deaths of two young technicians.
The first reported instance occurred in Melbourne on 12 December last year, when a massive blast reduced a work van to little more than a burnt-out mess. It propelled debris at least 100 metres from the site.
A 25-year-old plumber, believed to have worked in refrigeration repairs, was, according to witnesses, loading equipment into the back of his work van when the explosion threw him five metres from the vehicle. He died several hours later from his injuries. Fire department spokesmen said around 20 houses were damaged as up to seven different gas bottles were ignited by the initial blast.
The second incident occurred four days later in Darwin, when a blast in a work vehicle caused damage to several houses in the area and killed a 24-year-old refrigeration mechanic.
It is believed that the early morning starts of most mechanics is a likely reason no one else was killed or injured. Both incidents have been tentatively blamed, prior to official coroners’ reports, on leaking gas bottles inside the vans, ignited by a variety of potential sources.
All responsible van owners should check all equipment for possible ignition and explosion sources as a matter of course.