A Northern California man suffered life-changing injuries after an explosive device detonated while he was picking up Fourth of July firework debris from a beach.
Jason Turner and his girlfriend were walking along Point St. George Beach in Del Norte County on Sunday, collecting leftover fireworks to help clean up the shoreline after the holiday celebrations.
During their cleanup, Turner found what appeared to be a cylindrical, bomb-like object partially sticking out of the sand near the waterline. When he picked it up, the device suddenly exploded, causing severe injuries that resulted in the loss of his hand.
Deputies responding to reports of the explosion found Turner in the beach parking lot with a serious hand injury. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Investigators have not determined what type of device exploded and said no identifiable remains of the object were recovered. Officials said the couple was several hundred yards from the parking area when the blast occurred and had to walk back to an area with cell service to call for help. Emergency crews arrived about 20 minutes after the incident.
Turner’s daughter said her father underwent an amputation and is expected to require additional surgeries. She said he also suffered injuries from metal fragments, including damage affecting his eyes and hearing, with some injuries potentially being permanent.
A fundraising campaign created to help with Turner’s medical expenses raised nearly $90,000 as of Thursday.
Authorities said no similar devices have been found and the investigation into the explosion remains ongoing. Officials are warning people not to touch or move any objects that appear to be possible explosive devices and to immediately contact law enforcement if anything suspicious is discovered.
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