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Video: CO burned in oxygen tank explosion at Okla. detention center

A loaded gurney with equipment was being brought into the jail when a bag with an oxygen bottle fell off, engulfing the officer in flames

An Oklahoma corrections officer was seriously injured after an oxygen bottle fell off a gurney and exploded. Read more about how to prevent oxygen tank explosions here.

By Sarah Calams

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. — A corrections officer suffered third-degree burns after an oxygen bottle fell off a gurney and exploded.

News9.com reported that EMSA was bringing a loaded gurney with equipment into the jail Saturday when a bag with an oxygen bottle fell off, engulfing the corrections officer in flames.

“It hit the ground and exploded immediately, and I couldn’t go anywhere. I was stuck. There was a gurney here, there was a wall and there was another wall right here, so I couldn’t get out of the way,” Officer Bryan Cornelius, a 14-year veteran, said.

Cornelius was able to jump onto a table, but was still on fire.

“You know I was really just confused. I didn’t know anything like that could happen. I was standing there, then the next thing I know I was on fire and I was just glad to get away from the heat for a minute. Once I noticed I was burning, it was pretty excruciating pain immediately,” Cornelius said.

Cornelius suffered third-degree burns on both of his feet and ankles. He will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair some of the burns.

“The pain is excruciating. I don’t wish the pain on anybody,” he said.

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