A man was transported to the hospital via helicopter after a vape battery exploded in his pocket, resembling a firework. Gavin Sutherland, 40, noticed a hissing sound and movement in his pocket before the battery detonated, causing severe burns to his thigh while he was at a jewelry workshop in Orkney.
Responding to the incident, a helicopter from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) airlifted Gavin to a hospital in Aberdeen, where he underwent skin graft surgery due to the fabric of his clothing fusing to the wound. Gavin described the chaotic scene, mentioning the blast, heat, smoke, and confusion about how to handle the situation.
After the battery burned through his pocket and fell to the ground, Gavin applied cold water to his thigh, only to experience intense pain as the fabric of his boxer shorts had melted onto the wound. He had to trim away the material with a sharp knife before seeking medical attention at Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall, where the seriousness of his injuries became evident.
Subsequently, Gavin required treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a wound the size of a finger, which was cleansed and treated. Despite enduring permanent scarring from a skin graft procedure, Gavin expressed gratitude for the care received from SCAA, inspiring his son Caleb to raise funds through a sponsored cycle.
In another development, concerns were raised about the proliferation of cheap vapes that evade the single-use ban, with millions of devices still being disposed of despite regulations introduced by the government to curb their environmental impact. Campaigners emphasized the need for stricter enforcement to prevent the circulation of vape products that mimic disposable models, thus circumventing the ban.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds highlighted the government’s efforts to combat the negative effects of disposable vapes by banning single-use items, implementing takeback schemes, and enforcing regulations. The government’s commitment to reducing the use of disposable vapes among young people and promoting environmental sustainability was underscored, with plans to further support retailers in facilitating vape recycling and enforcing compliance with regulations.
Officials emphasized the importance of periodically reviewing the effectiveness of the ban and enforcement measures, with a legal requirement for a comprehensive assessment within three years to ensure adherence to the regulations and address any shortcomings.
