Man killed is named

The Star 12 January 2011 (11:10am)

The man has been named as Michael Whinfrey from Wickersley, aged 42. He leaves a widow and three daughters.

Peter Lindon Davis was also injured and remains at the Northern General Hospital where his condition is serious but stable. He is being treated for "potentially life-changing, head and body injuries."

Eye witness accounts included:

"The explosion was absolutely massive," he said. "I've never heard anything like it - if I'd been any closer I wouldn't be here now. It blew a hole in the wall, and waste went all over the road. It was a complete mess.

"All the rubbish went onto the car park, and smashed some of the car windows," Craig added. "We don't know if there's been a backdraft or something like that, but it just blew up."

A worker at a nearby engineering firm told The Star: "We were all inside working at the time, and I came out just after the explosion happened. There was rubbish all over the road.

"I've heard it's a pressure malfunction, and it's exploded. It sounds like a tragic accident."