An Elma man was medevac’d to an advanced care center following an explosion that severely wounded him on Tuesday night.

East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue got the call just after 9:30 p.m., said public information officer Ali Sinclair. The source of the explosion is currently under investigation, Sinclair said.

“So it was a 36-year-old male that was handling an unknown explosive device that discharged,” Sinclair said in a phone interview. “There was a multi-system trauma. He had trauma to his hand, face and abdomen.”

Medical personnel were initially delayed while personnel from the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office checked out the scene, Sinclair said.

“We had to stage and let law clear the scene to make sure there were no additional explosives or hazards,” Sinclair said. “This is an uncommon thing to happen in our area. We went in, took care of business.”

The man was transported to Summit Pacific Medical Center before being airlifted from the parking lot, Sinclair said. The casualty was in stable condition at the hand-off, Sinclair said.

No other injuries were reported, Sinclair said, and the investigation by the sheriff’s office is underway.

Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.