MILTON McDonald’s zeal to work turned into fatal tragedy yesterday when he was killed by the explosion of a steam tank on his first day of work in Nance Pen, off Spanish Town Road in Kingston.

According to the Hunt’s Bay police, the young mason’s life was taken some minutes after 10:00 yesterday morning when a hot air cylinder at the Free Foam production plant where he was working exploded. McDonald, 21, was reportedly doing some minor cement work when the tank, which was only a few metres from him, violently burst.

The accident also caused damage totalling about $16 million to the building and to several pieces of equipment at the plant.

One of Milton’s older brothers, Winston McDonald, described his sibling as quiet, pleasant and mannerable. “He always wanted to achieve something good out of life,” he told the Observer. He said his entire family, especially Milton’s twin, Michael, was having difficulty accepting the news.

“We heard it over the news first,” he said. “It very rough. It’s a big sink. It nuh nice at all,” he added, sadness reverberating through his voice. “My mother taking it very hard and it even rougher for his twin because they were even closer than (he and I),” said Winston, the fifth of seven siblings.

He said the company promised yesterday to cover expenses associated with Milton’s accidental demise.