A MAN was thrown into the air and left with serious burns when a grenade being used as part of a Second World War re-enactment exploded.

The man, believed to be in his 60s, was airlifted to hospital with burns to his left hand, chest, abdomen and face after the ‘fake’ hand grenade he was holding exploded.

The incident happened at 4pm on Sunday at the War in the Vale event, at Evesham Ashdown Camp near Badsey.

An eyewitness said: “This guy was standing by some explosive charges and it went off.

“It was just after the re-enactment finished and, for about 20 seconds, everyone thought it was part of the show.

“He must have been badly injured. He was thrown about five feet in the air. He flipped and fell sideways and then landed on the ground.

“Then the paramedics rushed in. He was picked up by the air ambulance at about 4.45pm.”

The event was being held to celebrate Armed Forces Day, attracting hundreds of re-enactors and visitors from all over the country.

Bob James, chairman of the South Midlands Emergency Vehicle Trust (EVT), which organised the event, said it was an unfortunate incident at the end of a successful day to raise money for Help the Heroes.

“This is the first one we have held,” he said. “He is doing all right and it was an unfortunate accident. He is fully qualified to use pyrotechnics and was also one of the safety officers on the day. They were clearing up after the main event.

“We don’t want this being blown out of all proportion. I spoke to his wife yesterday and she said he was fine, just a little embarrassed. It was a shame this happened as the re-enactment had finished and it was the end of the day.” A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews arrived to find a man wearing Second World War clothing who had blast injuries.

“He had been holding a theatrical hand grenade with pyrotechnics in it, when it went off. He was flown to the Solihull hospital’s specialist burns unit for treatment.

“The Red Cross and a doctor were giving first aid when we got there. They had bandaged him up and dressed his wounds with some cooling burns gel.

“The call had come through as a gunshot wound. His injuries aren’t thought to be life-threatening but he has had to go to the specialist burns unit in the region.”