Work Accident Near Bristol

Two men are in hospital after suffering burns in an explosion at a quarry in Bristol.

The explosion, which involved a lorry, happened at Stancombe Quarry on the A370 at Flax Bourton, near Bristol, at around 4.40pm on Monday.

Four crews from Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene after hearing reports of an explosion.

One man sustained third-degree burns and the other man sustained first-degree burns a Great Western Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

Both were taken to Frenchay Hospital, which has a specialist burns unit.

An Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "On arrival, firefighters found a small fire in a liquid petroleum gas lorry trailer.

"Two workers, aged in their 50s, suffered burns to their upper body and faces. One was taken to hospital by air ambulance and the other transferred to hospital by road ambulance.

"Firefighters quickly dealt with the fire and assisted paramedics with first aid to the casualties. Their injuries are thought to be serious, but not life-threatening."

The spokeswoman said an investigation into the cause of the explosion was expected to begin shortly.

Stancombe Quarry is run by Tarmac.

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Jo Darlington, a solicitor from law firm Irwin Mitchell's Bristol office said: “This accident is a cause for concern. The HSE have targeted quarries in the past as locations where workers face potentially hazardous working conditions and as a result of their campaign accidents had decreased. It will be necessary to await the outcome of the accident investigation before coming to any conclusions but workers safety should always be paramount.”