Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 06/02) - A 22-year-old man who sustained severe head injuries and fractures when a tire exploded at Coneco Equipment Inc. is now recovering at home in Yellowknife.

Jamie Stringer spent several days unconscious in an Edmonton hospital surrounded by friends and family. He's now recovering at home in Yellowknife. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

"He's doing really good," said Linda Stringer, mother of victim Jamie Stringer. "He will fully recover."

The explosion happened Aug. 15 while workers were changing a tire on a piece of heavy equipment.

Stringer was medevaced to Edmonton after the accident. Last Friday, he returned to Stanton Territorial Hospital and was released Tuesday.

He has pins and plates in his arm and his elbow is wired together. In six months, he will undergo tests on his brain.

He has no recollection of the explosion. "He's missing about 10 days, said his mother. "The chances of him ever remembering are slim ... I think your brain protects things for a reason."

She added people in Yellowknife were very supportive throughout the ordeal.

So far, no charges have been laid in the incident.

The Workers' Compensation Board completed its on-site investigation and took items from the site for follow-up examination.

"The inspectors are still looking at the investigation as a whole," said WCB public affairs manager Dave Grundy. "Items sent out for analysis haven't returned yet ... It could be months. It can take quite a while."