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OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (USA Today) -- A 62-year-old Michigan man has been hospitalized with burns after the rocket backpack he built to power himself on a sled exploded, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe says the unidentified man, who had been drinking before the accident, suffered second-degree burns to his face and body, and possible eye damage.

"Apparently he has this sledding party every year, and he always does outrageous things at it, but he's never blown himself up before," McCabe tells the newspaper.

The would-be rocket was powered by a used auto muffler filled with gasoline and gunpowder.

"He asked another person to light a wick and then began to sled down a hill," McCabe says. "At some point during the ride, the device exploded."

But, McCabe reports, at least he was wearing a motorcycle helmet.

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