DDASaccident503
Abstract
The accident occurred while the deminer was prodding/excavating. [The mine was a PMN AP mine.] Injuries to the victim deminer occurred when he was using a bayonet or shovel during operations. As a result of the explosion the deminer received minor injuries to his left hand and crush injuries to his left arm plus a single wound (1 to 1.5cm) to his left thigh where a foreign body penetrated the muscle. The [National demining agency] doctor indicated this object to be a small stone. These injuries indicate that his left hand was close to the point of detonation and he was facing sideways to allow the foreign object to pass under his protective vest. This is not consistent with proper use of the prodder but could be said to be consistent if sitting or kneeling sideways using a shovel in a sweeping motion?
