Gunpowder experiment puts pensioner in clinic

An elderly man was seriously injured as he charged a cannon.

The 70-year-old was engulfed in flames at his home yesterday morning (Thurs) when the gunpowder he wanted to stick into the weapon detonated in his hands. He suffered burns all over his body and severe injuries to both hands, according to the police in Laterns in the western region of Vorarlberg.

The man – who was rescued by a neighbour – was airlifted to a clinic in Feldkirch.