A man was airlifted to hospital from Melksham’s Party in the Park on Saturday after suffering facial burns in a suspected blowback.

John White, 26, was helping to set up the hog roast stall at the event in King George V playing fields when a fireball burned him and a colleague at 1.10pm.

Mr White suffered burns to his face and arms, and his colleague was burned on the arm in the incident.

One eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “There was a huge explosion and two blokes came running out (of the tent). One had burns on his face and arms and the other on his arms. St John’s Ambulance were on the scene quickly, and some while later the air ambulance landed. It was a really big explosion.”

The pair were treated at the scene by St John’s Ambulance volunteers as paramedics were called. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance landed in the park shortly afterwards and Mr White was airlifted to Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital’s burns unit, while his colleague was taken to Bath’s RUH hospital for treatment.

John Scammell, a technician with St John Ambulance who was one of the first to treat Mr White, said: “We applied our specialist burns dressings and called for help. He was conscious and breathing. It’s what we’re here for.”

Mr White was discharged from hospital on Monday, and is said to be recovering well from third degree burns. His colleague has also been released from hospital.

Mr White’s fiancee’s father “Sparky” Bloodworth, who also sits on the Party in the Park committee, said: “He’s absolutely fine, and he’s recovering well. He’s had a lot of messages wishing him a speedy recovery, from people he doesn’t even know. We’re very relieved, it was quite a day. I thought the actual Party in the Park was one of the best ever.”

Mr Bloodworth said he didn’t wish to comment on the cause of the incident as it was being investigated by insurers.

l Party’s a real crowd-pleaser: See page 16/17