More details from 2007 fireworks mishap in Vienna, Virginia
Read 2009 article by The Washington Post’s Tom Jackman on the victims of the Vienna mishap
11 people were hurt last night during the finale of a fireworks display in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. According to WGAL-TV reports, “Schaefer Pyrotechnics, of Ronks, Pa., put on the display, which also commemorated Palmyra’s 250th anniversary”. In 2007 STATter911.com, while at WUSA-TV, we reported that the same firm handled the July 4th fireworks in Vienna, Virginia that hurt ten people, including three with serious injuries (see video below). Victims of that incident filed suit against Schaefer.
Also from our 2007 coverage:
STATter 911 has learned that Schaefer was involved in a July 4th, 2004 incident in Pittson, Pennsylvania. The company was fined $8100 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after at least 24 people were hurt. That mishap was blamed on a faulty explosive. OSHA discovered 7 violations (from a 2005 Scranton Times article no longer available online).
Here are some details from WGAL-TV on last night’s incident around 10:37 PM at the Palmyra Middle School:
“This accident occurred after one of the firework charges misfired, causing an explosion, sending firework material into a nearby crowd located near the games and ride area … This accident also propelled fireworks material across the football field and beyond,” a Palmyra Borough Police Department news release stated.
Eleven people suffered burns contusions and abrasions. Four of them were minors, aged 11, 14, 15 and 17. One of the injured was a fireworks employee. All of the patients were taken to Hershey Medical Center.
Police said none of the injuries appeared to be life threatening. As of 11:30 a.m. Monday all of the injured, except one adult and one minor, had been released from the hospital.
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Oh god that is bad