A distraught father, Derek Williams says his 28-year-old daughter sustained third degree burns when the flames from the truck carrying gas exploded near the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg on Saturday morning.
At least 18 people have died following the deadly explosion that has left parts of the hospital damaged, destroyed railway infrastructure and some homes while scores of other injured people are still in hospital.
Williams, who lives in a house near to the blast said the explosion broke windows and set fire to a lapa and also charred his work bakkie.
“My daughter has third degree burns and she is in Edenvale hospital but she will be okay”.
“It happened around 07:00- 07:30 on Saturday and a gas truck from the Free State tried to drive through the subway and the gas valve on top of the tank caught and broke off and set it alight.
“The fire department responded but the flames were so strong they couldn’t get it out. And there were a lot of people standing there where that barrier tape is and when the explosion happened they were thrown from there and landed here on the side,” said Williams.
Williams said the scene was horrible.
“It was horrific really. I am a level -two first aider and after the explosion I tried to see if I could help people but they had limbs missing, arms, legs. They were burned to pieces,” said Williams.
