A FACTORY worker who died in a blast which left his best friend fighting for life was today named by police.
Michael Whinfrey from Wickersley died in an industrial explosion at the Sterecycle site on Sheffield Road, Rotherham.
The 42-year-old was airlifted to Leeds General Hospital following yesterday's explosion but died at 5.45pm.
Michael leaves a widow and three daughters.
You can leave a tribute to Michael in our online book of condolence, click here
His best friend Peter Lindon Davis was also injured and remains at the Northern General Hospital where his condition is serious but stable.
He is being treated for "potentially life-changing, head and body injuries."
The 51-year-old is from Hoyland Common in Barnsley.
The men are understood to have become trapped when a pressure vessel blew up in the Sterecycle plant on Sheffield Road, between Tinsley and Templeborough.
The deafening blast ripped a large hole in the wall of the building and sent waste and debris spewing onto the road and nearby cars. One witness said he'd "never heard anything like it".
Read More: BREAKING: Man killed in factory explosion is named