Exploding can injures youth
By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Nov. 16, 2001
A nine-year-old Lauderdale County youth was reported in serious but stable condition and scheduled for surgery Thursday night after being hit by an exploding aerosol can.
Deputy John Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. at the site of a house under construction on Willie Chandler Road near Minnow Bucket Road in Lauderdale.
Calhoun said that when Sgt. Joe White and Deputy Jim Bristow of the sheriff's department arrived on the scene, it was not apparent whether the boy was alone at the time of the incident. He said the initial investigation indicates the can exploded in a fire.
Calhoun said he does not know who started the fire or what was burning, but said it possibly was scrap wood piled and ignited by workers at the site of the house under construction.
The Toomsuba Volunteer Fire Department and Metro Ambulance also responded. Metro personnel transported the youth to Rush Foundation Hospital, where he was in serious but stable condition as he was prepared for surgery about 6:30 p.m., Calhoun said.
Investigator Tommy Anderson of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department was notified of the incident and will be looking into it today, he said. The youth's name was not released.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.