NEWBURGH – Police first thought they were after a speeder when a motorist shot down Route 9W from Marlboro into the Town of Newburgh Sunday morning going over 100 miles per hour.

It turns out the man was the victim of a propane gas tank explosion minutes before in Marlboro.

Newburgh Town Police tried to pull him over, but he kept going until he stopped at a convenience store in Middle Hope.

Fire Chief Edward Bailey said the man suffered burns to his face and was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center because of concerns that his airway may have been burned by the explosion.

No other information was available Sunday evening.