Fireworks on the 4th of July are a part of celebrating our national holiday. Unfortunately, every year, people are injured by fireworks meant for consumers and by professional fireworks displays.
Radio station 96.7 Connect FM reports that seems to be what happened in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 4, 2021. An accident involving a fireworks display in the township of Salamonie ended in tragedy when a man was killed by a mortar shell that was nearby.
Officials in Huntington County say the accident happened at approximately 12:20 a.m. when emergency crews responded to a scene where a 41-year-old man had been injured while setting off a fireworks display.
Paramedics found the victim had sustained significant injuries to his abdomen after being struck by a firework missile. Despite all lifesaving measures attempted by rescue teams, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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According to an assessment released by the Huntington County Coroner’s Office, the mortar shell inside the tube exploded. The pressure inside the tube built up enough pressure to cause a breach in the side of the fireworks tube, shrapnel from the explosion striking the victim.
The coroner said that an autopsy would be performed to determine the extent of the victim’s injuries.
The fatal accident is currently under investigation. A toxicology report is also expected from the coroner’s office in order to determine the final cause of death or whether other factors may be involved.
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