Mr Bateman’s daughter, Angela, told the Moree Champion he was heading home from Longreach after delivering hay when he came across the rolled truck.

“He was second on the scene and helped the truck driver out of the truck and held the oxygen mask on him before the explosion,” she said.

It is believed the explosion of the truck was fuelled by ammonium nitrate spilt from the roll.

She said Mr Bateman was doing “okay” but suffered a loss of a finger, with another trying to be saved, serious injuries to the tips of fingers, a chip in the top of his spine, loss of hearing in the left ear, holes in both ear drums, gravel rash, burns and bruises.

“He has a long road to recovery ahead. Our family would like to thank the fire brigade and other emergency services who attended the scene, along with friends and community members who have kept him in their thoughts,” she said.

“We hope to have him home in a couple of weeks, but even though he has a long road to recovery his spirits are still strong.”

Although he hadn’t described the experience to his family, Miss Bateman said her father was flung over 20 feet during the blast.

 Officer in charge at the Charleville Police Station, senior sergeant Adrian Rieck, said several fire officers along with two other truck drivers who had stopped to assist were also injured in the explosion.

“We literally had 53 tonnes of ammonia nitrate go off – it was like having a 53 tonne bomb explode and those people who went into assist without fear for their lives should be commended,” he said.

Mr Bateman is being deemed as a hero. If he did not help to free the truck driver, his fate may have changed.