A woman is in hospital with serious burns after being thrown from an ice cream van that exploded in Salamander Bay on Sunday.
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Bystanders rushed to help the 44-year-old woman following the explosion about 9.30am. It came as the woman, the operator of the ice cream van, had been setting up for the Tomaree Markets.
Norma Hocking, organiser of the markets, said it was “lucky” that no one else had been hurt in the “scary” incident.
“We had just moved the van under two big trees, away from stalls,” Mrs Hocking said. “We were lucky no one else was hurt.”
Describing the incident, Mrs Hocking said all had been going along normally when suddenly the market was rocked by a “massive boom”.
“I thought lightning had struck somewhere,” Mrs Hocking said. “I turned around and the van was up in flames and it just kept exploding.
“She [van operator] was thrown from the van but these ladies, I believe they were nurses, ran to help her. They were on the ground with her, kept putting wet clothes and cold water on her.”
Firefighters, police, three paramedic units and a NSW Ambulance arrived at Tomaree Sports Complex, where the markets are held every second and fourth Sunday of the month, shortly after the explosion.
A total of eight fire trucks, Fire and Rescue NSw and Rural Fire Service, attended the scene.
NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Lauren Lowrie said the van operator had received burns to her arms and face.
“Bystanders quickly rushed to her aid and started to cool the burn area with running water,” she said.
“We treated the burns on scene and administered pain relief. The woman was airlifted by helicopter to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious but stable condition.”
A Toll Rescue Helicopter landed at Tomaree Sports Complex and transported the woman to the Sydney hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
Mrs Hocking said it was the woman’s first time at the markets.
The van had been stationed closer to other stalls, but was moved due to the noise of the van’s generator.
Forensic police inspected the van following the explosion.
“We’re still investigating the cause of the incident,” Chief Inspector Tony Townsend of the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District said.
“There is no indication of foul play. We’re not looking at a criminal offence.”
Mrs Hocking said Sunday’s incident was the “most major” the markets have experienced in its long history.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” Mrs Hocking said. “It was so scary.
“Thank you to everyone who helped. The people around who ran to help her [van operator] were so good with her.”