Three Injured In Fourth Of July Fireworks Accident

The annual Independence Day fireworks display from the National Mall began as scheduled at 9:10 p.m. on July 4th and lasted for 20 minutes. Pyro Shows, a government contracted fireworks company, presented the show. Subsequent to the program and while being inspected within the fireworks safety zone, three mortars containing 10 inch shells exploded, injuring a Pyro Shows employee and guest advisor. A third person, also employed by Pyro Shows, was treated on-site and released; preliminary reports suggest that he suffered no physical trauma related to the explosion. The United States Park Police, District of Columbia fire marshal and on-site EMS staff responded to the accident. One injured person, transported by helicopter to the Washington Hospital Center, remains hospitalized suffering from a broken right ankle, burns, and amputation of his right wrist along with other injuries to the right side of his body. The other person, transported from the scene by ambulance, was treated and released. No National Park Service employees were injured. United States Park Police, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, OSHA, and District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service incident investigations are underway.