Maine man shoots off firework from top of his head, dies

[BluegrassPyro1]

A news story about a 22 year old that held a reloadable mortar tube on top of his head and lit a shell. He died instantly when it went off.

http://www.wral.com/police-man-shoots-off-firework-from-top-of-his-head-dies/14755540/

[ras1986]

It gives fireworks a bad name but it's just natural selection

[chriskrc]

His own stupid action won't be the blame unfortunately the anti pyro's will blame fireworks

[PGH_Pyro]

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2015/07/06/Man-loses-fingers-in-fireworks-accident-in-Lawrence-County/stories/201507060112

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/07/06/Fayette-County-pennsylvania-man-one-of-two-injured-in-fireworks-incident-in-Cheat-Lake-West-virginia/stories/201507060113

[Tannerite]

It's not a "fireworks accidental death". The mortar did what it was supposed to do. The lighter did what it was supposed to do. The beer did what it was supposed to do.


Type 20 mfg
Type 23 import export

[matandch]

His own stupid action won't be the blame unfortunately the anti pyro's will blame fireworks

Maybe they should try blaming alcohol instead.

[PGH_Pyro]

we dont hear as loudly about how many idiots that drank too much stabbed themselves to death or drive a car into a brick wall somewhere and died.

[Blackdevil77]

I heard about this. It's amazing how many people I've heard personally go to me and say "SEE!!?? Stupid dangerous fireworks!" I probably live in the most anti fireworks place in the world (Nassau County, Long Island)

[NWPA]

I was in Maine the week of the fourth. The mother of this young man now wants the laws changed regarding fireworks. All class C legalized in 2012. Blame the firework as usual. While out to lunch or dinner a couple of times I overheard a few negative comments on the new law. But most people I talked to didn't seem to care one way or the other.

[thomask280]

I was in Maine the week of the fourth. The mother of this young man now wants the laws changed regarding fireworks. All class C legalized in 2012. Blame the firework as usual. While out to lunch or dinner a couple of times I overheard a few negative comments on the new law. But most people I talked to didn't seem to care one way or the other.
You can't legislate away stupid.

[N3OQO]

As a fireworks enthusiast I am troubled by the news of the guy in Maine that decided it was a good idea to launch a mortar firework off his head, and is dead. This incident points out the logic and intelligence that is prevailing in the world today. Everyone is screaming ban the fireworks again, BAD fireworks!!! The fireworks were after the fact, he was drunk. It wasn't the fireworks that made him put them on his head, it was the booze influenced bad judgement. I don't think passing a stupid test to buy fireworks would work, 99% would fail that regardless. But I wonder if something like Mothers against Drunk Pyros would fly???

[winterportpyro]

The latest article has the parents claiming the son thought it (the artillery shell) was, and I quote the headlines, "a dud". Most people of reason will dismiss this excuse as they will and do with other acts that aren't socially acceptable that result in a bad outcome. He paid the ultimate price for a moment of thoughtlessness and bravado. Nothing more, nothing less

[matandch]

In effect he was playing a form of Russian Roulette. Alcohol is often involved in Russian Roulette using a gun as well. Alcohol impairs good judgement. Drinking alcohol when handling guns or fireworks, among other things, is not a good idea. The responsible use of alcohol is the issue that needs to be addressed.

[Spunky]

I don't understand. If he had a mortar tube on his head and lit it off, how did that do so much damage. Does the tube have that much down pressure?

[chriskrc]

They do have quite a bit of down pressure when they fire, look at a milk crate rack when you fire the bottom flexes quite a bit

[N3OQO]

The downward pressure has to be thousands of pounds I would think. It's a cannon, and it's designed to throw a 30-60 gram shell 100 feet or more in the air. You wouldn't put a shotgun against your head and pull the trigger.

[matandch]

It's simple. Use only as directed. "Set on ground, light fuse and get away. Do not hold in hand." The directions are there for a reason.

[chriskrc]

Now the campaign starts by some to overturn the law. Truly I can't see this going anywhere since he was drunk. If it does then that is some ridiculous b.s. He was drunk and acted stupid that's all there is to say, oh and he is to blame not fireworks.

[AlexR]

You can't legislate away stupid.

Someone always tries though.