Tamahere Explosion Condition Updates
Two of the firefighters admitted to hospital yesterday following the explosion and then blaze in Tamahere are in a
critical condition.
A 36-year-old, listed as stable in a ward overnight in Waikato Hospital, underwent surgery today and transferred back to
the intensive care unit.
A 43-year-old transferred to Middlemore national burns unit last night is also critical.
Three firefighters are in Waikato Hospital's high dependency unit - two 51-year-old men, one of whom will stay in the
unit while the other, and a 35-year-old, are expected to be moved to wards.
A 37-year-old, first listed as critical on arrival, is now in a stable and improving condition and likely to be
transferred from intensive care to either the high dependency unit or a ward.
Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams today said the death of 48-year-old senior station officer Derek Lovell
last night was a tragedy.
Two months ago, Mr Lovell and the rest of his Red Team celebrated the opening of the hospital's new entrance and car
parking building with a mock rescue from the top of the eight-storey car park.
Mr Lovell and another fire officer "rescued" Mrs Adams as part of the exhibition.
"Derek put me totally at ease in the lead up to and during the rescue," she said.
"Our condolences go out to his family and his extended family in the fire service."
ALSO, audio of Dr Felicity Dumble, Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health.
ends