Man Dies Attempting to Dispose of Decades-Old Explosives, Coroner Calls for Clarity
A 79-year-old Southland man died in February 2024 while attempting to safely detonate aging explosives on his property, prompting a coroner to call for clearer guidance for the public and law enforcement regarding the disposal of such materials. The man, Donald Gene Woodford, had been struggling to find a legitimate way to dispose of the Powergel explosives for over a year, repeatedly encountering roadblocks from both retailers and police.
Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame, in findings released today, detailed Woodford’s attempts to responsibly manage the explosives he’d accumulated over a 50-year career as a fencing contractor. Powergel, similar to gelignite, was used to blast rocks for fence post holes. After upgrading his equipment, Woodford no longer needed the explosives and sought a solution for their disposal.
In 2023, Woodford first attempted to return the Powergel to the store where he originally purchased it, but was refused. He then contacted police, who also declined to take possession of the explosives, instead advising him to contact the manufacturer. “Mr Woodford was at a loss as to what to do with the explosives, and so they remained in the shed,” the coroner’s report stated.
Driven to find a solution before moving a shed where the explosives were stored, Woodford discussed a plan with his wife, Adele Woodford, to move the Powergel to a remote location – a family hut at Waterloo Station – and detonate it there. On January 31, 2024, he set off with supplies, intending to return the following day.
When Woodford failed to return as planned, his wife contacted his brother, Mark Woodford, who immediately went to the hut. He discovered Woodford’s vehicle with the door open and found his brother lying deceased approximately 1.5 meters from a hole in the ground. Police found several partially detonated explosives near Woodford’s body.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Woodford died from catastrophic blast injuries to his chest, head, and neck. The pattern of injuries indicated he was holding the explosive in his left hand while crouching or sitting.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) bomb squad subsequently ensured the remaining explosives were safely detonated. The NZDF stated it is “preferable for police to inform E Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) about all calls regarding explosives in the first instance,” allowing them to triage and schedule disposal as operational tempo allows.
Coroner Cunninghame’s inquiry revealed a gap in guidance for both the public and police. She noted that Woodford had sought advice on safe disposal, but neither avenue – the retailer nor the police – directed him towards the NZDF’s expertise. “Had he taken advice from the NZDF, Mr Woodford would not have tried to detonate the Powergel himself and the tragic consequence could have been avoided,” she wrote.
The coroner has recommended that police issue a reminder to all staff that the NZDF E Squadron should be contacted when members of the public seek advice on disposing of unused explosives. Police have indicated they are already working to improve procedures, including updating guidance accessible to all staff and reviewing standard operating procedures for handling such reports.
Woodford’s family hopes that sharing his story will prevent similar tragedies. The coroner’s findings underscore the inherent dangers of commercial explosives, even in experienced hands, and the increasing instability of these materials over time, becoming more sensitive to heat, shock, and friction as they age.
