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Ben D’Ath once feared he would never be able to use his camera again, now the gas explosion survivor is producing a photo book documenting the experience that nearly killed him.
ANDY JACKSON/STUFF
It s a long road to recovery for Ben D Ath after surviving a gas explosion in his New Plymouth flat.
Ben D’Ath’s arms tell a story of survival. They’re discoloured from skin grafts and severe burns, but they were also the only way his parents could identify him as he was rushed out of a rescue helicopter, unconscious. In December, 28 per cent of Ben s body was burnt in a gas explosion at his home. With help from his neighbour he managed to escape and was in critical condition at Taranaki Base Hospital. He was then flown to Waikato and put into an induced coma for what was expected to be six weeks of recovery.
Professionals real estate agent Kris Rasmussen ran the auction dubbed Pennies for Benny on Thursday.
A final count up of all the money raised in an auction for three Taranaki gas explosion victims has seen more than $8000 added to the total, which now reaches more than $29,000. The auction, named Pennies for Benny, was held on Thursday for Ben D’Ath, Leticia Nixon and Kerry Roach, after their New Plymouth home was destroyed in a fire caused by a gas explosion on December 29. Associates of D’Ath decided to rally around the trio, who lost everything in the blaze, and auctioned off more than 30 donated items at the Our Place Bar in New Plymouth.
The day a Taranaki man who was seriously burnt in a gas explosion was flown home from Waikato Hospital, more than $20,000 was raised for him and two others at an auction.