Driver Hurt by Flying Debris from Projectile Lab

Driver treated and released from Austin-area hospital

Officials say a driver has been hurt by flying debris from an explosion at an Austin-area lab associated with the University of Texas.

UT spokeswoman Rhonda Weldon says Tuesday's accident involved equipment failure in a metal building on North Bagdad Road in Leander, leading to an explosive release of gas.

The lab, run by the UT Institute for Advanced Technology in north Austin, does research on high-velocity projectiles and their impact on targets.

James Swartz was driving his truck and was about 50 feet from the site when the structure exploded. Swartz was treated for minor injuries and released from a hospital.

Officials say five workers running an experiment were not injured.

UT environmental and safety experts will help investigate the accident in Leander, about 20 miles northwest of Austin.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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