A Fourth of July backyard barbecue turned deadly after a young newlywed man was hit in the neck and killed by exploding fireworks. Family members called 911, but when emergency crews arrived, the young husband had no pulse. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
A Fourth of July backyard barbecue turned deadly after a young newlywed man was hit in the neck and killed by exploding fireworks, authorities said.
Austin McCloud, 19, was celebrating Independence Day with his new wife and family in their backyard near Skiatook, Okla., late Sunday night when some fireworks he was lighting exploded – hitting him in the head and the throat, fire officials said.
Family members called 911, but when emergency crews arrived, the young husband had no pulse, officials said.
McCloud died on the way to the hospital after 10 p.m., the Tulsa World newspaper reported.
A heartbroken family member told KOTV television that several generations of the McCloud family were enjoying themselves at the cookout but “30 minutes later … boom. Life changed in an instant.”
Skiatook Fire Dept. Capt. Richard Postier told the World that the fireworks may have misfired because one other person was hit when they exploded.
The pyrotechnics that killed the young father weren’t run-of-the-mill Roman candles, but a multi-shelled launcher that fires dozens of flaming projectiles, fire crews said.
McCloud was married on April 22 and worked as a welder.
He had a 2-year-old son and a 3-year-old stepson, family members said.
