A Winnipeg holiday man in Hawaii has an uncertain future after a suspicion of gas explosion in the grill area of a complex on Hawaii beach left it with broken bones and significant burns.
Darren Stevenson was in a barbecue in a resort in Maui on Thursday when the explosion occurred, his friend Randy Van de Mosselaer, who was with Stevenson until one day before the incident, told Global Winnipeg.
Van de Mosselaer said there are still many unknowns about the condition of his friend, but said he seems to survive his wounds.
“It has complex fractures at the top of the upper part of the body, the head, the lower part of the body, and about 15 percent of its body suffers from burns,” he said.
Winnipeg's man, Darren Stevenson, is recovering in a Hawaiian hospital after surviving an explosion while on vacation.
Randy Van de Mosselaer
According to the hotel management and the police in Maui, the explosion injured seven people, three critically, including Stevenson.
Van De Mosselaer said his friend was transferred by Maui's plane to Oahu, and that he has been under careful there since then.
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“It is going through several surgeries, and the right thing is now that it seems that it will survive the situation.”
Police said the official cause is under investigation, and witnesses had indicated “a possible grill malfunction” before the explosion.
The complex, the Whamer, has offered accommodation to Stevenson's wife up to a week, but the medical procedures and rehabilitation that they will have to happen are more likely to take months, or more.
Friends and family have gathered a GOFUNDME To help cover the cost of medical treatment and life expenses for an extended word in Hawaii.
“It's absolutely horrible, they say life can change in a penny and that is exactly what happened,” said Van de Mosselaer.
“I don't think Darren's life is the same, but with our hopes, prayers and support, we hope he can return to the most normal possible.
Van de Mosselaer described his friend as a selfless person with a big heart and a Blue Winnipe Bombard fan.
“He is probably the number one bombers fan in the city, his family only lives for the pumpers,” he said.
“He always puts everyone else ahead of himself. He is giving, he is involved in the community, and has a big big heart. “
–With Associated Press files
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