This did not happen to me, but to a friend and fellow woodturner....This is the post from our woodturning chapers forum. I have removed his real name and will use WT for Woodturner.....
One of our turner had an accident while turning on Friday. As you know, WT turns big hollow forms, and one of those hollow forms, came apart while turning. The good new is, there was no blood and no broken bones, but WT does have a very deep bruise on his arm. I will give you the info that I have and WT can fill in the details. WT put a in progress, turned Mesquite vessel, back in the chuck, and it was not balanced and he readjusted it several times to get it turning smooth and balanced. It was not balanced perfect, but he felt that it was as close as he could get it. He started up the lathe, and moved his body toward the tailstock end of the lathe. He then placed his hollowing system tool inside of the opening in preparation to start hollowing. At that point, the turning began to viberate, and as he reached toward the headstock to turn the lathe off, the turning exploded. A large piece of the turning, hit his outstretched arm. Another piece of the turning hit the window, tearing out glass and aluminum frame. Yet another piece went up in the air hitting the fluorescent lights above the lathe, and broke it. So in a split second, wood and glass, was flying everywhere. WT was in his shop alone, his wife was not at home and his arm was injured. He had to call 911 to get help, and they transported him to the ER for X-rays. Fortunately his arm was not broken. When I talked to him this afternoon, he was re-cooperating at home.
As you can see from the picture, the lathe, was, at an angle to the wall, but when it comes apart, pieces fly everywhere.....