Spectators watched as an old power plant in California’s Central Valley went down in demolition. Five people were injured in the implosion, and it left one man with a severed leg? Hit the jump for more details.
On Saturday, over 1,000 people gathered around at 6 a.m. to see the demolition of a decommissioned steam power plant in Bakersfield, California. As onlookers watched the implosion, shrapnel was sent flying through the air; injuring five people. One policeman heard a guy screaming for help, and when he arrived he saw his leg severed. Four other victims had minor injuries.
Lieutenant Scott Tunnicliffe stated, “It was a piece of shrapnel that came flying out of the explosion and came across and went through a couple of chain link fences, struck him and impacted into a vehicle. The 44-year-old victim might lose his other leg as well due to his injuries.”
Denny Boyles, a company spokesman for the power plant, said they hired subcontractors to work with local authorities to set up a 1,000-foot perimeter around the site. However, that perimeter was obviously not large enough for this demolition.
Boyles also stated, “We are deeply saddened that this happened. We’re looking for answers like everyone else.”
