by Lewis Dyson

A father-of-two who suffered serious facial injuries in an explosion at work is out of his coma.

Andrew Foster underwent a 15-and-a-half hour operation at King’s College Hospital, London, to rebuild the fractured bones in his face.

The 36-year-old, of New Road, Minster, suffered a bleed on the brain and severe damage to his eyes at Highway Care Ltd, in Detling, on Monday August 6, where he works as a welder and fabricator.

The HSE is investigating what is believed to be an oil drum that exploded.

The youth coach at Sheppey Rugby Club is no longer on a ventilator and he is breathing with the help of a pipe through his throat.

His wife Donna, who has been travelling with Andrew's parents daily to see him, said: "He is still very much out of it because of the painkillers they are giving him.

"It takes him quite a while to follow any commands at the moment. He has squeezed the nurse's hand on command and he nodded when I spoke to him but he is very much in and out."

The nursery practitioner added: "The doctors are pleased with his progress, but until he is fully round they cannot tell us anything about his sight or any brain injuries. It's a waiting game.

"We are finding it very hard. It's friends and family that have been helping us.

"I don’t think I would have got through this without them."

Andrew Foster was injured in a blast at Highway Care in Detling

Mrs Foster had to make another trip to the hospital for son Keenan, 13, who broke his foot while chasing his sister Kirstie, six, around the garden this week.

Beachfields Swimming Club, which both of children attend, have joined Sheppey RFC and Woodlands Day Nursery in providing financial support to Mrs Foster for her visits to the hospital.

Woodlands Day Nursery staff are organising a sponsored 10-mile walk to raise money for the Foster family on September 1 at the Minster Road site.

Highway Care Ltd are running their own investigations into the incident and have been in touch with Mrs Foster.