A man was airlifted to a hospital after a vape battery exploded in his pocket, resembling a firework. Gavin Sutherland, 40, experienced a hissing sound and movement in his pocket before the battery blast while working at a jewellery workshop in Orkney. He was transported by a helicopter from Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) to a hospital in Aberdeen, where he underwent skin graft surgery due to his boxer shorts fabric melting onto the wound.
Recounting the incident, Gavin mentioned the sudden blast, heat, smoke, and confusion, causing him to consider using water or an extinguisher. After the battery burned through his pocket and fell to the ground, he applied cold water to his thigh, only to realize the severity of the injury once the pain intensified. Colleagues assisted in applying a burns pack before driving him to Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall, where the pain became overwhelming.
Following initial treatment, Gavin was transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for further care, where he received a skin graft procedure resulting in permanent scarring but no muscle damage. Inspired by his ordeal, Gavin’s nine-year-old son, Caleb, raised nearly £7,000 through a sponsored cycle with a friend in support of the SCAA.
Recently, the Government faced pressure to address the issue of cheap vapes evading the single-use ban, with millions of vapes still being discarded despite the regulations introduced a year ago. Manufacturers have developed inexpensive alternatives that mimic single-use devices in price and use, circumventing the ban’s intent. Calls for government action were prompted by estimates revealing a significant reduction in discarded vapes and pods since the ban, yet a substantial number are still being disposed of each week.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds emphasized the government’s commitment to combatting disposable vape harm, implementing take-back schemes, and enforcing regulations to reduce environmental damage. The government plans to further support retailers in providing vape recycling options and ensure compliance with legal obligations. Notably, a mandatory review of the ban’s effectiveness and enforcement will be conducted within three years to assess its impact and identify any necessary adjustments.