Firework incidents kill, injure dozens this July 4th

In Tallapoosa County, officials said six people suffered injuries after a pontoon boat modified to act as a fireworks launch barge exploded on Lake Martin during a July 4 fireworks show. The explosion involved illegal fireworks and occurred near Kowaliga Basin in the Blue Creek area, the Montgomery Advertiser, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

In Orange County, an 8-year-old girl was killed in an explosion during a “large illegal fireworks display” July 4 along a residential street, the Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. The incident unfolded about 9:45 p.m. in a residential cul-de-sac, according to the Buena Park Police Department. The fireworks “failed and began misfiring toward the residence where the child was,” police wrote in a statement. A burning projectile then struck other fireworks that were near the young victim, causing them to ignite as well.

In Sussex County, a man allegedly aimed “numerous” fireworks at people in the 100 block of Garfield Parkway, according to the Bethany Beach Police Department, and a short time later, reportedly aimed a “mortar style” firework at a large group on the beach. Several people were hit, the Delaware News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Police Chief Patrick Foley said the victims suffered non life-threatening injuries.

In Nassau County, several people suffered minor injuries after a large gangway collapsed July 4 at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina, the Florida Times-Union, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. The Fernandina Beach Police Department and city reported the victims were treated at the scene.

In McHenry County, according to CBS News, a man was seriously injured July 5 after being hit in the face by a firework on the 1300 block of Beach Street in unincorporated Crystal Lake. The Nunda Rural Fire Protection District reported the man was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital to be treated.

In Monroe County, a man died while lighting fireworks in the 7000 block of West Tabor Hill Road in Stinesville, northwest of Bloomington, WISH-TV reported. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 23-year-old Tyler Pinkley from Bloomington.

In Barnstable County, during set up for its annual fireworks show, eight people suffered injuries in a July 2 firework explosion at the New Seabury Country Club in Mashpee, according to the Mashpee Fire Department. The Cape Code Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported one person was flown by medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and another was transported to Falmouth Hospital with minor injuries, the fire department reported. Six other people suffered injuries but declined transportation to hospitals.

In Lawrence County, officials said one person suffered serious injuries and another suffered critical injuries in an incident that took place just after dusk on July 4. Lawrence County EMS said one person was transported to a hospital by vehicle and the other person was taken by medical helicopter to “a regional specialty center.” Additional details were not provided by officials. USA TODAY has reached out to Lawrence County first-responders.

In King County, Harborview Medical Center treated nearly 50 people with fireworks-related injuries over the Independence Day holiday weekend including one person who lost their hand, The Seattle Times reported. In all, 18 involved hand injuries, 13 involved eye injuries, and the remaining victims suffered injuries to “other body areas” the outlet reported.