Two workers hurt in electrical explosion

One of the men injured in an electrical explosion in west Auckland today is about to be discharged, while the other remains in hospital with minor burns to one of his hands.

Vector spokeswoman Philippa White said the injuries to the two workers were not as severe as initially believed.

The men were digging a hole when they struck an 11,000 volt underground cable on the corner of Hobsonville and Trig Rds, a short distance from the Whenuapai air base, this afternoon.

Ambulance communications staff confirmed one of the men had been taken to Auckland Hospital with what was initially believed to be serious injuries and the other had been taken to North Shore Hospital with moderate injuries.

The man taken to North Shore Hospital will shortly be discharged, said Ms White, while the other remains in Auckland Hospital but has only minor burns to one hand.

Ms White said the men were doing a fault repair on the underground cable at the time of the accident.

One has burns to his hands and the other has burns to his stomach.

Ms White said a power outage in Hobsonville resulting from the accident had now been restored.

Vector will be carrying out a thorough investigation into what happened, she said.

- NZ Herald staff, NZPA