A man was transported by helicopter to a hospital after a vape battery exploded like a firework in his pocket. Gavin Sutherland, 40, experienced a sudden blast that burned his thigh while he was at a jewelry workshop in Orkney. Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance airlifted Gavin to a hospital in Aberdeen for skin graft work due to the melted fabric from his boxer shorts adhering to the wound.
Recalling the incident, Gavin mentioned the rapid sequence of events and his confusion on how to respond to the explosion. After the battery burned through his pocket, he used cold water on his thigh, revealing a significant wound that required medical attention. Colleagues assisted in applying a burns pack before taking him to a hospital in Kirkwall, where the severity of the injury became apparent.
Further treatment was necessary at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where Gavin underwent a skin graft operation that left him with permanent scarring but fortunately no muscle damage. Inspired by his experience, Gavin’s son Caleb, aged nine, organized a sponsored cycle with a friend, raising almost £7,000.
Recent concerns have been raised about the prevalence of cheap vapes that evade the single-use ban imposed by the Government. Despite regulations introduced a year ago to restrict sales to reusable criteria, manufacturers have produced inexpensive models that mimic disposable vapes, leading to continued environmental impact.
Research by Material Focus revealed a significant reduction in discarded vapes and pods since the ban, though millions are still being disposed of weekly. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting disposable vape use through regulation and enforcement measures. Plans are in place to review the ban and its enforcement within three years to ensure compliance and reduce environmental harm.