So I'm at Tafe studying Technical Production (sound and lighting etc) and my teacher was telling us stories about an explosion on the backlot where they make (or used to) to make gun powder pyro effects for the Police Academy Stunt Show (and possibly maverick). Happened about 15 years ago. I did a quick google and nothing came up. Apparently there was 3 guys and one was leaving the building as it went off and threw them all outside the building. Severely burned them beyond recognition. Has anyone heard about this?

Edited July 13, 201511 yr by lifeofsamage

So here I was thinking that there had been an accident on the set of HWSD today and I get in here to find out it's a hearsay story of something 15 years ago.

Perhaps the thread title could say something about the historic nature of the incident, or that it was rumor, not fact?

On an unrelated note - how funny is it techies, roadies and stagies tend to gravitate towards theme parks also? I know a lot of amateur (and professional) guys on these boards within that industry...

Thanks, Edited the topic name. I totally get what u mean with people of that industry attracted to theme parks. I know quite a few people like that

It's been talked about before.

 

 

It's been talked about before.

Thanks. Found an article from the incident if anyone is curious like me. Didn't realise the tread had duplicated either. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/05/1044318668609.html

• Bit of an old thread.. but thought I would chime in as I was one of the three in this particular incident...
• February 5, 2003, 1pm after lunch we suffered a catastrophic explosion which engulfed three of us working at the magazine that day.  I was categorised with 61% full thickness burns (3rd degree in the old model) and took about 2 full years of rehabilitation to get back to some semblance of normal life.
• Yeah, pretty much ancient history.  but clear as yesterday for me.  If anyone wanted an educational type input I would be more than happy to front up and talk about my experience.

15 years as a professional pyro technician.... two seconds to change my life.  Im a survivor.. not a victim...have lead a very successful life since this particular accident and have so much to be thankful for.... but yeah.. it is pretty much ancient history now. 

Edited September 20, 201511 yr by Macross

• Bit of an old thread.. but thought I would chime in as I was one of the three in this particular incident...
• February 5, 2003, 1pm after lunch we suffered a catastrophic explosion which engulfed three of us working at the magazine that day.  I was categorised with 61% full thickness burns (3rd degree in the old model) and took about 2 full years of rehabilitation to get back to some semblance of normal life.
• Yeah, pretty much ancient history.  but clear as yesterday for me.  If anyone wanted an educational type input I would be more than happy to front up and talk about my experience.

15 years as a professional pyro technician.... two seconds to change my life.  Im a survivor.. not a victim...have lead a very successful life since this particular accident and have so much to be thankful for.... but yeah.. it was pretty much ancient history now. 

Wow thanks for your story. My tafe teacher said he knew one of the guys wondering if that was you. His name is Michael Sutton. Thanks 

Edited September 20, 201511 yr by lifeofsamage
Spelling

No.. not me... there were three of us.. Malcolm teaches music these days and may have connections in TAFE.  I moved into IT and our boss, Albert is semi retired now but still works on the odd movie from time to time.

Happened upon this thread through google and kind of blown away that all these years later people still know about this particular incident.  interested to know what context your Tafe teacher was speaking about to include our little incident? 

We where all talking about Workplace Health and Safety Stuff and then started talking about Pryro WH&S and that story came up. Malcolm does ring a bell. I'll ask him when we go back in to Tafe.