‘You Could See Green Flares Fly Out’: Parents Burned by Firework Mishap During Graduation Ceremony
- Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:02pm by
Liz Klimas
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One might say the most recent graduates of Baker County High School in Florida left parents going “oh, oh oh” during a dance routine to Katy Perry’s “Firework.” The choreographed scene at the graduation ceremony was complete with live fireworks but ended up going completely wrong.
According to the Florida Times-Union, what was meant to be a celebratory “flashmob-style” show for parents by the students and faculty, ended up injuring six when one of the fireworks detonated improperly. The diplomas had been passed out at the Friday night graduation when Perry’s song began blaring over the speakers and graduates started their routine. The first fireworks began going off normally, but Mike Wawzynski, who had a front row seat in the bleachers, said one was delayed and shot beneath the stands holding hundreds:
“I was about 4 to 5 inches from it when it went off,” Wawzynski said. “You could see the green flares fly out. It wasn’t just an explosive firework, it was the kind that had the green flower.”
(Image: WTLV screenshot)
(Image: WTLV screenshot)
(Image: WTLV screenshot)
Watch this WTLV report complete with some raw footage of the scene:
Wawzynski told the Times-Union he felt the firefighters setting off the explosives were “ill-prepared.” Director of Baker County Emergency Services David Richardson said the incident was rare and the minor injuries were treated onsite.
Authorities treated the injured and recorded accounts of what happened after the mishap. (Photo: Mike Wawzynski/Florida Times-Union)
Richardson is also reported as saying that there are conflicting stories as to what actually happened, but authorities are piecing it together. For example, Wawzynski is reported as saying the firework landed under the bleachers, whereas WTLV states that it landed in front of the stands.
[H/T Daily Mail]
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drphil69
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 2:33pmThey promoted ‘flash-mob’ type celebration, and got BURNED!
Report Post »espersemper
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:12amTonight in Montreal, the weekend of the Grand Prix, the student version of OWS will march this time NAKED for the 41st demonstration march in a row. The protest officially starts at 9am in front of a Downtown Center where McGill University Students are graduating today. These protests are costing the City of Montreal Millions and has managed to smoke out most leftists who usually only blog! People see it as a romantic party of red flags, banging frying pan, fist in the air and now naked FUN. Could be for everyone that doesent have to work, pay taxes or try to have a vacation without fear of a mob taking to the streets every night. Toujours L’Amour?
Report Post »MuleRider
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:06amSo fireworks are safer than the graduates throwing there caps in the air ?
Report Post »DougHarvey
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:54amI know the town well and had a good friend at the ceremony. While I’d like to say this incident is being covered up by local officials (just to stir the pot) It really was a non-event. My friend didn’t even know anything went wrong and the graduation ceremony continued without any delay.
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:19pmWawzynski, is continuing the problem, not trying to be a part of the solution.
Bad things do happen, just don’t spin up drama like this guy. Yea, things always could have been worse…but the facts are they were not.
Make decisions by judging what is right in your heart, not by what emotion is telling you to do.
Report Post »wawzynski123
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:05amI think you are the only one that seems to have a problem. I feel that I am part of the solution. Isn’t fireworks awareness week in three weeks? This isn’t about creating drama. Somebody could have gotten killed.
Report Post »If somebody out there at a high school is thinking about doing something similar…decides to launch fireworks off without ANY fireworks training with thousands of people present. Maybe some school somewhere might think twice when they launch with the wind going toward the crowd?? or maybe think twice when they put the fireworks right next to the stands. There are guidelines you know. Do you know how hard it was to turn my head around and open my eyes after I heard my wife says “It burns, It’s so hot, hissing her words out of her mouth because her words were spoken with her teeth clinched together with both her hands clinched on her neck and chin. It is every man’s nightmare. I wish you well and I hope you or anyone else never has to go through that in the future.
hi
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:09pmNo one arrested for causing burn injuries to others. But if you cheer for your kid when she graduates watch out for the SWAT teams!!
Report Post »John 1776
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:38pmClass B aerial shell is a “break” (The actual flares with a charge to send them in all directions), and a propellent charge and a timer fuse. They are launched from a pipe (or mortar.) The fuse is lit, which ignites the propellent charge. This should send the break high in the air and once the timer fuse burns, it goes off. If a bad or wrong size pipe is used, the charge may not ascend. More common, the propellent charge is bad, and fails to launch the break high enough. You must plan for a clear launch area in case this happens. You also must plan the landing area in case the break does not go off. You can tell by the sound of the propellent charge going off if things are ok, or if you have to duck under the safety tarp. (been there, done that.) Still, with every precaution taken, things can and do go wrong on rare occasions.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 9:19pmAt least they weren’t used in a crowded, indoor, Rhode Island nightclub–like the ‘fountains’ at the Great White event! Some things just don’t belong in an area with crowds!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 8:41pmFireworks and Katy Perry at the graduation is overshadowing the event which is supposed to be about each person making it to grad day!
Report Post »belief101
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:48pmMore exciting than Biden speaking to you!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:35pmAccidents happen… that is why they call them Accidents. And, they are Unexpected… or people would plan!
Report Post »Tankboy2adfwd
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 8:53pmIt’s called a risk assessment. If one were done, it would have been determined that the hazard outweighed the benefit by far. Did they have the science teacher set up the fireworks? Looks like a piss poor job was done.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:19pmIt happens….no one got seriously hurt, thank heavens…but the weak, greedy and cowardly will sue anyway….
Report Post »merik59
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:16pmFireworks are nothing to toy with. I’m surprised they used them, but I can understand why they would want to. Colorful flags or ribbons or streamers on sticks would be better & the kids could move them around with their dance routine. Hope everyone recovers.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:14pmWhat they didn’t say is Achmed the Dead Terrorist was the keynote speaker.
Report Post »And with that Class of 2012, we graduate you to the world. OK, now that your officially adults, here is a little taste of life, I keel you…….boooooom!
JACKTHETOAD
Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:36pmLike the twerp in Thailand that blew his own legs off. They‘re sendin’ in the ‘B’ teams now. Enrollment’s down, I guess. (Prayers out to them. Burns ain’t any fun.)
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