Camper blast puts four in hospital

Friday, 14 July 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - A man and three children from Brockport, N.Y. are recovering from severe burns after an explosion Tuesday in their recreational vehicle at Cedar Point's Camper Village.

There was a gas explosion at about 7:45 p.m., said Sandusky Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Yost. The vehicle's occupants were trying to light the stove when the explosion occurred.

"Bystanders said there was a large explosion causing burns," Yost said. "There was a fireball and there were small spot fires."

Yost said he heard the victims had second- and third-degree burns, which are some of the worst. He said three of the four victims were in the burn unit St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo.

Park spokesman Bryan Edwards said one man and three children from Brockport, N.Y., were the guests who were injured. A camper staying nearby called 911 and within seven minutes the four injured were being taken by Cedar Point emergency workers to Firelands Regional Medical Center. He didn't have ages or names.

A fifth member of the party, a woman, wasn't in the vehicle during the explosion, he said. No other injuries or property damage occurred. The charred vehicle was taken to a salvage area.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our guests and we hope they have a speedy recovery," Edwards said.

Yost said the fire department arrived to put out the spot fires and to investigate. The victims were already on their way to the hospital. He didn't have their names.

Firelands Regional Medical Center could not be reached for comment Thursday. St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center did not have records of patients from Cedar Point in the burn unit as of Thursday evening.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

Copyright 2006 the Sandusky Register. All rights reserved.

All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of the Sandusky Register or FunCoast.com. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.