Mum trapped under rubble for five hours after gas explosion describes ‘horrific’ experience
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A mum badly injured in a gas explosion at her home near Thornton Heath that killed a little girl living nearby has described how she laid under the rubble for up to five hours.
Eleven months on from the tragedy in Galpin’s Road, Pollards Hill, that took the life of four-year-old Sahara Salman, Elaine McDonald, 55, has spoken about the impacts of that fateful day and how she’ll live with her injuries for the rest of her life.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes after the explosion ripped through the terraced house after residents said they had noticed a strong smell of gas in the area for several weeks before the explosion on August 8.
Ms McDonald had been living on Galpin’s Road since 2012 with her son and partner Nigel Forde, 55.
The mum said she and her partner were away shortly before the explosion and had noticed Southern Gas Networks (SGN) workers, the company responsible for the gas network in the area, on the street when they returned.
Despite their presence, Ms McDonald said there was no sense of “urgency” from the workers and the couple carried on their routine as normal, right up until the morning of August 8.
Ms McDonald said: “I switched on the kettle, I turned around to walk back to the table. I was going to just hang around until it’s boiled obviously, and I heard a sound. Just a small sound, I can’t recall if it was a click or what. And then, boom. That was it.”
She added: “There was a boom, there was a flash and then after that, I don’t recall how long I was under debris.
“I came to a couple of times and it was horrific, because it was dark and I could hear sounds, either water or gas.
“So I was absolutely terrified. I thought there was going to be another explosion and then I blacked out again, and then the next time I came around I thought, ‘I’m still here,’ and then I just started punching.”
Mr Forde said he had been in the loft when the explosion in their home happened, just after 7am.
He described the experience of rescuing his partner from the rubble of their home as “traumatic”, and said he felt like he was “in a daze” the entire time.
Mr Forde said: “I think it was about four to five hours before Elaine came out. I didn’t have any concept of time. I was barefoot, trying to help move rubble and stuff until the fire brigade had come and the main person who was in charge said that we all had to evacuate.”
Ms McDonald added: “I remember looking down and I could see my ankle, and I swear I saw bone. And then from that point onwards, I was gone. I don’t know if I passed out, I don’t know if they gave me something, I was gone.”
The mum said she suffered two broken ankles and burns to over half of her body, leading to severe nerve damage.
She said she has since had skin grafts on her legs and continues to have an “ongoing battle” with infections, as the lower half of her limbs have still not healed fully.
Law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp is currently conducting an investigation into the explosion and any potential leaks in the year leading up to the incident. The firm encourages anyone with information to contact them.
An SGN spokeswoman said: “Since last August, our thoughts have remained with the family of Sahara, the residents who were seriously injured and the wider community.
“We’re continuing to support the ongoing investigation, which is being led by the Metropolitan Police.”
The Met Specialist Crime Command said it was continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gas explosion. They said work was being done in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive.
Merton council was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: Rescue workers attempt to find people in the rubble (Picture: London Fire Brigade)