Mr. Perinchief, 37, of Crest View Road, Smiths, who was seriously injured in a stove blast, is currently in a stable condition in the Bayview burns unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, US.

A spokesman last night said he was improving and could be on his way home, certainly by the end of the year.

He is conscious and his mother Ruth Perinchief has been at his bedside for the last few days.

A decision will be made in the near future as to whether he will receive rehabilitation in Bermuda or in the United States.

Mr. Perinchief suffered 90 percent burns when a gas cooker exploded in his apartment early in August.

Police are waiting to interview Mr. Perinchief when he returns to the Island, in connection with the incident. They have already interviewed his 28 year old girlfriend as part of the investigation.

ACCIDENT AC