A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank who along with several others sustained injuries following an explosion of pyrotechnic materials on Saturday at the Coastguard base at Ruimveldt has succumbed.

21331 Corporal Seon Rose sustained third degree burns and was listed as critical when he was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Saturday.He passed away on Sunday and reports are that he suffered a heart attack while being treated for his injuries.

Rose and several other ranks of the  GDF’s 21 Artillery Company were preparing for the firework display, which was scheduled for Saturday night, when there was “spontaneous combustion” at approximately 13:30hrs. Reports are that the pyrotechnics were aboard a truck when it exploded. The combustion resulted in a number of pyrotechnics being destroyed and rendered un-useable.

The injured ranks were identified as Rose, Terrence Neils, Gordon Cornette, Isiah Gordon, Trevon Joseph, Victor Low, Atto Cort and Delroy Baird.

The forces’ Medical Officer, Major Nigel Langhorne, who was at the hospital ensuring the injured ranks get the best medical care, told reporters that one of the soldiers sustained burns to 90 per cent of his body while two others were receiving treatment for injuries to their bodies. The remaining ranks were being treated for shock and minor injuries.

President  Granger visited the site of the incident and also interacted with ranks and their families at the hospital.

The President said the soldiers, who were involved in the incident, are experts who have done fireworks overseas.