Rexburg teenager seriously injured in explosion released from hospital
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REXBURG – A teenager seriously injured in an explosion will be released from the hospital to go home Sunday.
Daniel Johnson, who turns 18-years-old today, was using a hand grinder at Paradise Nursery Friday when investigators say sparks from the grinder ignited an explosion.
Johnson was rushed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with shrapnel injuries to his arms, face, ears and eyes.
He was unable to open his eyes until Sunday morning.
“The doctors put a contact lens in his right eye and his vision is kind of blurry but he can see now,” Alisha Johnson, Daniel’s sister, tells EastIdahoNews.com. “The first surgery on his eye went well and they said as long as it doesn’t get infected he should regain most of his vision back.”
Alisha says doctors have also repaired a damaged eardrum and they are waiting on a CT scan to see if Johnson needs further surgery on his ears.
“He is doing a lot better,” Alisha says. “He has been able to talk to us and he has been eating.”
Alisha says her brother remembers the explosion and was awake for the entire incident. Fire investigators are unsure what caused the blast that caused significant damage to the room, windows, doors, walls and ceiling.
Johnson, a Madison High School student, will likely have to undergo additional operations but his family says they’re thankful he survived and look forward to celebrating his 18th birthday at home.
“I am so thankful he is alive,” Alisha says.