Man Blows Off Arm with Party Fireworks

[THUNDERDUCK]

Police say a man lighting fireworks has blown off his arm at a party on New York's Long Island.

Suffolk County police say 36-year-old Eric Smith was using a 3-foot long metal tube to shoot mortars from the street near his Islip (EYE'-slip) Terrace home around 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

Police believe he leaned over the device to ignite it and didn't get out of the way before an explosive shot out of the launcher. His left arm was severed at the shoulder.

Smith was taken to Southside Hospital in serious condition while friends packed the lost limb in ice to try to save it. Police believe doctors will try to reattach his arm.

A hospital spokesman didn't immediately return a call.

Police say another person at the party also was taken to a hospital, but it's unclear why.

[Asmodai]

Happens every year. Honestly, home-done fireworks aren't impressive anyway compared to the ones being shot off everywhere on the holiday.

[wateva]

Happens every year in my country as well. Kids blowing off parts of their body parts by accident due to home-made fireworks.

[kuro808]

the dangers are endless and yet people are stupid to do so, ban stupidity not fireworks

[wateva]

the dangers are endless and yet people are stupid to do so, ban stupidity not fireworks

That's a tough uphill battle.

[kuro808]

the dangers are endless and yet people are stupid to do so, ban stupidity not fireworks

That's a tough uphill battle.

werd but here they want to do ban fireworks because of illegal aerials

[Slack]

Fireworks: Mankind's attempt at putting natural selection back into the gene pool?

[kuro808]

Darwin award newsworthy

[shurastriker]

the dangers are endless and yet people are stupid to do so, ban stupidity not fireworks

That's a tough uphill battle.

werd but here they want to do ban fireworks because of illegal aerials

lol 95% of fireworks are illegal in Peru, only a few authorized by discamec are good and the ones for major events that are pro

[kuro808]

here there are quite a lot but because of idiots they want to ban

[Slack]

Well, considering that certain fireworks could very well set fire to surrounding structures, it's not just a danger to the idiot using them right?

[kuro808]

^ true but it sucks enough to consider the ban here, just something to ever say that leave it up to the pros to build them

[Scramasax]

It sucks that the masses have to suffer for the carelessness of the few.  All we get around me are fountains... and sparklers.  Even then, they're still overpriced.