Story Published: Apr 19, 2010 at 8:02 PM PST
Story Updated: Apr 20, 2010 at 2:48 PM PST
Police said 20-year-old Joseph Brice was experimenting with explosives about a mile west of Red Wolf Bridge when his homemade bomb exploded prematurely.
The blast threw Brice to the ground, ripped his pants off and seriously injured his legs and lower body.
Brice's girlfriend was with him and contacted police. She was not injured.
Whitman County deputy Brian Keller said it appeared the bomb was made out of a paint can and an unknown amount of tannerite, an explosive commonly used for firearm targets.
"It appears they were just messing around and the unexpected happened," said Keller. "You never know with explosives. You think you know what you're doing, but you don't and they'll go off."
Brice was taken to St. Joe's and later airlifted to Sacred Heart.
No charges have been filed at this time. Police are still investigating.
