An explosion on board the Guyana Defence Force patrol boat Barracuda at the weekend has left one of its ranks treating first and second degree burns to his face and upper body in the Burn Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).
Coast Guard’s Able Rating Kevin Jagan, a statement from the GDF said, suffered the burns when he opened a small hatch on the vessel and combustible gases emanating from within it ignited when he approached with a lighter.
The statement said ranks aboard the boat are currently involved in anti-piracy patrols in the Berbice area.
The statement said that it is abnormal for a soldier or anyone to use a lighted and exposed flame when seeking to examine a dark hatch. After he was burnt Jagan collapsed on the deck but was rushed by other ranks to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He was later transferred to the GPHC in a GDF ambulance.
The army said Jagan is undergoing treatment and his condition is listed as stable. However the army stated that it is still exploring avenues both locally and overseas to ensure that AR Jagan receives the best treatment for the injuries he sustained in the incident.