Long Island man loses arm while lighting fireworks

WABC-TV ^ | July 3, 2010

[ConservativeStatement]

ISLIP TERRACE, New York (WABC) -- Police say a Suffolk County man is in the hospital after losing his arm while trying to light fireworks.

The incident happened in Islip Terrace on Long Island. Police say 36-year-old Eric Smith was leaning over to light a firework, but was unable to get out of the way in time when the mortar blew off his left arm.

Family members, who were there for a July 4th celebration, quickly grabbed the arm and put it in a cooler.

[CapnJack]

Ah yes, the annual “fireworks are bad” new stories.

I got $00+ worth going off in the back yard tomorrow night.
Fun stuff.

[ThomasThomas]

He should have listened to his mother.

[CapnJack]

I meant $400+ worth.

[slapshot]

Out here in Indiana

Mortars away and a lot of ooooh and ahhhhh. Trouble is dogs no like

[alice_in_bubbaland]

“He should have listened to his mother.”

I hope he had clean underwear...

[OneWingedShark]

>I got $00+ worth going off in the back yard tomorrow night.

Me too, though it’s usually called “burning weeds.” ;)

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I REALLY need you to hold muh beer and watch this.

[wtc911]

Islip Terrace is part of Long Island’s Redneck Riviera (also one of the bigger guido populations).

[digger48]

I meant $400+ worth.

I spent over Thirty Dollars!....last year.

Still have some left over.

[1rudeboy]

But his mother only said he could put his eye out, not blow off his arm!

[gundog]

Things have been surprisingly quiet in the neighborhood this year. Kinda disappointed. Makes good cover for testing .22 rounds.

[FormerACLUmember]

The question is now:

Who is this moron going to sue for his stupidity?

[Viking2002]

Must've been one helluva mortar to take his arm off. Down here in Alabama,there's a fireworks shop every fifty feet. Me? I just save my money and light off everyone else's boom sticks. LOL

[Brandonmark]

This earlier story claims it happened at 5;45 pm (WELL BEFORE DARK). Seems like this may be an alcohol related mishap:

Police: NY man blows off arm with party fireworks

[Fire_on_High]

We can’t get away with it anymore. First year it’s legal here one of our cats decides she’s terrified of loud noises. Not just nervous or hide under the bed...but flat out wet herself from sheer terror scared of them.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

LOL! Gray matter shortage?

[wtc911]

I’ll bet the Bud Lite was still firmly in the grip of the flying hand when they found it and putting it on ice was more to keep the brew cold than to save tha arm.

[Senator Pardek]

quickly grabbed the arm and put it in a cooler.

"Hey look - he's holdin' muh next beer!"

[alice_in_bubbaland]

“Seems like this may be an alcohol related mishap”

So far NY is two “alcohol related mishaps” in two days. I hope the trend does not continue.