News24 | Two workers critically burnt in Pietermaritzburg substation blast

Two workers were badly burnt in Pietermaritzburg substation blast.

• Two workers were badly burnt in a substation blast in Pietermaritzburg.
• One of the patients, found in a critical condition, sustained severe burns across their back and arms.
• Paramedics rushed both patients to hospital.

Two workers were left with severe burn injuries after a powerful explosion ripped through an electrical substation on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg on Monday afternoon.

This was confirmed by the KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service, which said paramedics responded to the scene just after midday.

Craig Botha, KZN Private Ambulance Service spokesperson, said when they responded to the scene, they found two contractors who had been working on the site suffering from serious burns.

“The first patient, found in a critical condition, had sustained severe burns across their back and arms and required immediate advanced life support intervention,” said Botha.

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Botha said paramedics worked meticulously to stabilise the critically injured patient on the scene before transporting them to hospital for specialised burn treatment.

The second worker sustained serious burns to both arms and also received emergency medical care before being transported for further treatment, he added.

The SA Police Service and fire department also attended the scene, securing the area and assisting in managing the emergency response, said Botha.

He said:

Botha said both patients remain under medical care as they begin their recovery from what emergency services have described as a “traumatic workplace incident”.

Police were yet to comment on the incident; their comment will be added once received.