BOMB experts were yesterday still at the scene of an explosion 80 kilometres south west of Ballarat which is believed to have claimed the life of one man and resulted in two police officers being taken to hospital.
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The man’s remains were found yesterday afternoon at the property in Derrinallum and appear to be those of property owner Glenn Sanders, however police said until the remains could be forensically examined they were unable to confirm the identity of the deceased person.
Reports also emerged yesterday that he had been involved in an incident this week which prompted officers to visit the property.
However, police refused to confirm this to The Courier, only saying he was wanted in regards to a violent incident but could not say where.
The site of the explosion remained in lockdown yesterday, with the Hamilton Highway expected to remain closed for the next 24 hours.
Derrinallum publican Wayne Parkin said Sanders, who lived with his mother before she was hospitalised at Ballarat, had become reclusive after his wife died.
“He’s just a quiet, lonely sort of bloke. Very good with machinery and repairs, maintenance, making stuff, fabrication, that type of thing.
“A bit of a loner over recent years since his wife passed away, but he’s just a general runaround normal bloke.
“I think everybody’s pretty much down a little bit.
“There’s a bit of solemnness and there’s not many people around; everybody’s pretty quiet.
“No one in the town really knows what happened up there, to be truthful.’’
Derrinallum Post Office owners Margaret and Larry Howard said they often heard Sanders “working” at night, and every now and again they would hear a couple of explosions.
The explosion occurred around 1.20am on Saturday.
Police said the man became irrational and threatened self-harm after they went to the property to investigate the alleged violent incident that occurred earlier in the week.
Negotiators were called in but it’s believed the man set off an explosive device, which injured the two officers from a specialist unit.
One was flown in a critical condition to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne with head injuries with his colleague was taken to Geelong Hospital suffering from cuts and bruises.
The officer at the Alfred Hospital is now in a stable condition.
Two Ballarat City Fire Brigade members were on the scene yesterday providing breathing apparatus support to police.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
