This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6336299.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Corus blast survivor wins payout Corus blast survivor wins payout
(30 minutes later)
A man who suffered 43% burns in a steel blast furnace explosion which killed three other workers has won an undisclosed six-figure payout.A man who suffered 43% burns in a steel blast furnace explosion which killed three other workers has won an undisclosed six-figure payout.
Peter Clement, 54, was one of 12 men injured in the blast at the Port Talbot steelworks in November 2001.Peter Clement, 54, was one of 12 men injured in the blast at the Port Talbot steelworks in November 2001.
Len Radford, 53, from Maesteg, Andrew Hutin, 20, and Stephen Galsworthy, 25, from Port Talbot, all died.Len Radford, 53, from Maesteg, Andrew Hutin, 20, and Stephen Galsworthy, 25, from Port Talbot, all died.
Corus has admitted failing to ensure workers' and contractors' safety as well as civil liability for the blast.Corus has admitted failing to ensure workers' and contractors' safety as well as civil liability for the blast.
In December last year a High Court judge ordered the firm to pay more than £3m for the breaches of health and safety laws.In December last year a High Court judge ordered the firm to pay more than £3m for the breaches of health and safety laws.
It's been a very frustrating five years and I understand it could have taken a lot longer had I contested the compensation that they gave me Corus worker Peter Clement I could feel myself being lifted up off the floor and flying through the air in a ball of flames Corus worker Peter Clement
The explosion in 2001 destroyed blast furnace number five, lifting it off its base and blasting out 200 tonnes of steel slag and hot gasses.The explosion in 2001 destroyed blast furnace number five, lifting it off its base and blasting out 200 tonnes of steel slag and hot gasses.
The blast was caused by leaking water building up inside the furnace.The blast was caused by leaking water building up inside the furnace.
Stephen Galsworthy, Andrew Hutin, and Len Radford died in the blast
Negotiations over compensation have continued since Corus admitted civil liability about a year after the fatal explosion.Negotiations over compensation have continued since Corus admitted civil liability about a year after the fatal explosion.
In addition to his burns, Mr Clement, from Gorseinon, Swansea, suffered septicaemia, renal failure, liver problems, neurological problems and psychiatric injuries.In addition to his burns, Mr Clement, from Gorseinon, Swansea, suffered septicaemia, renal failure, liver problems, neurological problems and psychiatric injuries.
He described the moment of the fatal explosion.
"I was standing on the cast house floor about 10 metres away from the furnace itself when I heard an almighty explosion.
Stephen Galsworthy, Andrew Hutin, and Len Radford died in the blast
"At the moment you sort of hear the bang I could feel myself being lifted up off the floor and flying through the air in a ball of flames."
The steelworker said he walked out of the wreckage not realising how badly injured he was and then he collapsed He had suffered 43% burns and other injuries.
"My shoulder was broken, my ribs were broken and I had what they call blast inhalation, which was breathing in the toxic fumes.
"While in hospital (I) had total organ failure as well, so it put my family through a bit of hell while I was there."
Very frustrating Mr Clement acknowledges Corus admitted liability for the accident early on but he said reaching this final settlement has been a difficult battle. "It's been a very frustrating five years, and I understand it could of taken a lot longer had I contested the compensation that they gave me.
"I feel very bitter towards Corus, in so much as they never, once Prince Charles had been to do his duties opening the new furnace, I haven't been contacted since, and that was, I believe, January 2003.
"Just ask if I was OK, was there was anything they could do. ( I feel) cast aside and forgotten about."
His union, Amicus, said he needed to have dead bones removed and nerves transposed and that doctors said it was "a miracle" that he survived.His union, Amicus, said he needed to have dead bones removed and nerves transposed and that doctors said it was "a miracle" that he survived.
Amicus regional secretary Cath Speight said the explosion was a "horrific accident which caused enormous suffering for the victims".Amicus regional secretary Cath Speight said the explosion was a "horrific accident which caused enormous suffering for the victims".
The union is calling for amendments to the Corporate Manslaughter Bill which it believes fails to make company director's liable for the deaths of their employees.The union is calling for amendments to the Corporate Manslaughter Bill which it believes fails to make company director's liable for the deaths of their employees.
Civil liability
Ms Speight added: "We think this case would have been concluded more quickly had the Corporate Manslaughter Bill been on the statue books."Ms Speight added: "We think this case would have been concluded more quickly had the Corporate Manslaughter Bill been on the statue books."
Cast aside
Mr Clements told the BBC he felt "very bitter" over the way he thought Corus had handled his case. He said he felt "cast aside" and forgotten about.
"Even though they accepted that they had responsibilities for my injuries from the very beginning, it took a long time to get the case settled," he added.
"It's been a very frustrating five years and I understand it could have taken a lot longer had I contested the compensation that they gave me."
A spokesman for Corus said: "Our thoughts will continue to be with the families who lost their loved ones and those who were so tragically affected by the accident.A spokesman for Corus said: "Our thoughts will continue to be with the families who lost their loved ones and those who were so tragically affected by the accident.
"At the earliest possible stage, Corus made a full admission of civil liability as our priority was to provide the necessary support to the injured and bereaved."At the earliest possible stage, Corus made a full admission of civil liability as our priority was to provide the necessary support to the injured and bereaved.
"However, the process to settle the claims is specific and confidential to the individuals and is being handled by our insurers and where claims remain to be settled, interim payments have been made.""However, the process to settle the claims is specific and confidential to the individuals and is being handled by our insurers and where claims remain to be settled, interim payments have been made."