A HUGE blast instantly killed a worker at a Hampshire factory making flares for the military.
Anthony Sheridan, 37, died in the explosion at the plant in Middle Wallop near Stockbridge in July 2006, an inquest in Winchester heard today.
Mr Sheridan, of Pound Road, Over Wallop, was emptying flares from an oven at Wallop Defence Systems Ltd when he was killed by the blast which caused extensive damage. His body was found 24 metres away.
He had been working at the firm since October 2003.
The last person to see him alive was co-worker Robert Race who was with him at the oven. Shortly before the blast he went to look for a brush.
Mr Race said: “I had to go away and find a special dustpan and brush to clean the trays. The next thing was a very loud bang, an explosion. Then I was in shock and I didn’t know what was going on.”
The inquest before a jury and deputy central Hampshire coroner Simon Burge is expected to last a week.
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