dwheadstone Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 A trunk filled with fireworks exploded Wednesday evening as the vehicles driver made his way north on State Route 95 near Kiowa Boulevard and eyewitnesses say it sounded like bombs being detonated.It sounded like two bombs going off, said Susan Kearns, of Havasu and Oregon.Kearns and her husband Jim were driving south on the highway when they passed the exploding vehicle.The pressure just blew the car over, it sounded like bombs, said Jim Kearns.Both agreed it was a spectacle.Weve never seen anything like this, Susan Kearns said.Battalion Chief Mike Quijada, of Lake Havasu City Fire Department, said he and firefighters aboard Engine 2 were clearing another call when they noticed smoke in the area.At 5:07 p.m., emergency-response protocol was activated in the city. Havasu firefighters and medics arrived on scene to a fully involved vehicle fire.One man approached them for help.He approached emergency responders with burns to his upper torso, Quijada said.There were two individuals in the vehicle during the incident. Both were men; one was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center by River Medical ambulance service. Fire officials said Wednesday night the burned man more than likely would be air-evacuated to a trauma center via medical helicopter.The other man suffered minor injuries, but refused treatment on scene.There were 10-inch bundles of fireworks and sparklers it looked like ground display stuff that went off in the trunk, Quijada said.The fireworks detonated as the motorist drove on SR95 leaving debris on about 100 feet of highway. The driver turned right on Kiowa Boulevard where he stopped the vehicle to check it out.Thats when the back blew up, Quijada said. He walked into a big fire bomb.Off-duty Havasu firefighter/engineer/paramedic Mike Connelly arrived prior to emergency responders and began rendering aid to the injured man.Quijada said the men were in Havasu as part of the Western Pyrotechnics Associations Western Winter Blast 25 that began Wednesday with open-shooting for WPA members. The event has aerial displays of fireworks open to the public today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.Quijada also said Winter Blast organizers were contacted to respond to the scene to help firefighters ensure the fireworks were properly handled and disposed of. http://www.havasunews.com/news/fireworks-explode-in-vehicle-s-trunk-in-havasu/article_ab127f16-9456-11e3-b5af-001a4bcf887a.html#user-comment-area
nater Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Word is the fire was started due to a mechanical problem. It was most unfortunate that it extended to the trunk where he was transporting class C product. The injured man was burned badly and remains in critical condition.
Zumber Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 The injured man was burned badly and remains in critical condition.Pretty sad...I hope he will recover fast. 1
asdercks Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Kind of news one doesn't want to hear, once again, a tragic reminder of the dangers of our hobby.My best wishes for those guys.
dagabu Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 My God! How horrible for him, I pray that they bring him to a real Burn Unit, recovery is so painful and long. If anybody gets a name and hospital would you shoot me a message? I want to reach out to them if I am able to do so. -dag
mikeee Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Dag, No, according to Pete's post it was Randy Feldman I have a little more information. Randy and his twin brother had been out at the event site in their car, a Merc, and damaged the exhaust on a rock. They left the site and went to the local Mercedes dealer to try and get it fixed. The dealer declined, on the grounds that the catalytic converter was aftermarket and not a genuine Merc part. We believe they fixed up the pipe themselves with wire and were driving back when the car caught fire. Randy ran clear at first, but then went back to the car and opened the trunk. His last words before they anesthetized him were apparently "I shouldn't have done that ... I shouldn't have done that"We don't have a lot more info at the moment. I was told Randy's burns may be 60%, and he has debris embedded in the wounds. The risk of infection is high and he may lose his life. When I get back to Vegas I plan on visiting him, if they'll let me.
pyrowinner Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) I pray for the injured man's early recovery, it’s really unfortunate. Edited February 15, 2014 by pyrowinner
Peret Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 I heard today that Randy's injuries are less serious than originally thought. He has 60% burns but they are mostly superficial, and he's expected to make a full recovery. He did suffer an impact injury, possibly from the trunk lid that was blown a considerable dustance. 1
dagabu Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 No matter how painful 1st and 2nd degree burns are, I would take them all day long over full thickness 3rd degree burns any day of the year! All my 1st and 2nd degree burns are healed and have been for several months, the skin is fresh and baby soft with no scars, the 3rd degree is still healing SLOWLY so much so that I made a full fist for the first time cold just this month. I pray Randy did not get seriously hurt by the blast/impact. Peret, are you going to visit Randy at some point? -dag
MrB Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 Our heart goes out to the pair, and we of course wish them a full recovery. Randy ran clear at first, but then went back to the car and opened the trunk. His last words before they anesthetized him were apparently "I shouldn't have done that ... I shouldn't have done that" He's right. Shouldn't have approached the vehicle. But when in panic mode you do the weirdest things, with the best intent. From the sound of things, it could have gone a lot worse, so i guess, in a way, he got lucky. I don't know how i would have reacted if i suspected my car was on fire, and there was a bunch of pyro in the trunk. I'd love to be able to say i'd be cool as some motion video hero/villain, and just be like "let it burn, we can watch the fireworks from here". Sucks. It really does. If anyone gets in contact with them, let them know someone in Sweden wishes them a speedy recovery.B!
Peret Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 (edited) I'm back in Vegas and planning to look him up tomorrow, Dag. <edit> He won't be hard to find. There's only one specialist burn center in hundreds of miles around. I'll confirm tomorrow if he is there. Edited February 17, 2014 by Peret
dagabu Posted February 17, 2014 Posted February 17, 2014 Fantastic news, a real level 1 burn unit! Thank you Pete!
Peret Posted February 18, 2014 Posted February 18, 2014 I visited him today at the UMC Burn Center. They're taking good care of him.
Peret Posted February 19, 2014 Posted February 19, 2014 He's had other visitors too, but according to his brother he was still in induced coma yesterday so he may not even know. This would be about the time they ease off the meds and take a look at the damage. If anyone wants to send him a card, the address: University Medical CenterRoom 13261800 W Charleston BlvdLas Vegas, NV 89102
MWJ Posted February 23, 2014 Posted February 23, 2014 Thanks for the address! We all should write a note to him wishing him the best of care. God bless to all of you!
nater Posted February 24, 2014 Posted February 24, 2014 I only have anectodal experiences to back this up, but I think that people who are sedated or even comatose without medication are aware you are there. You can see changes in a patients heart rate and respirations when entering their room and a more pronounced change when a loved one is near. (Not always a good thing though)
dagabu Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I can only speak from my experiences of being in a comatose condition for 4 weeks that "being aware" is miles away from reality and actually being able to understand. In my case, I was hallucinating the whole time, the people I was 'aware' of were representations in my hallucinations and scared the hell out of me. If I had to do it over, I would keep everybody, including my wife and kids away, there presence made things worse in that time, not better. It's absolute hell guys, hell. Almost quite literally. "Visitors" bring immense pain in debridement, bathing (you have no idea how painful that is), PT and OT not to mention dressing changes, countless injections, lancings, staple and suture removal. Even the family and friends type of visitor bring agony in having to try to awaken against the veil of sleep and drugs. That said, knowing that there were those out there that care made a big difference in my desire to survive. -dag
Peret Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 Randy took a turn downward today, with falling blood pressure and other vital functions. His wife is by his side. His life hangs by a thread tonight.
ollie1016 Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 My heart and prayers go out to Randy and his family/friends.
Peret Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I'm sorry to have to tell you that Randy passed away today, Thursday 27th Feb 2014, at about 5:30pm.
ddewees Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 so sad... RIP Randy. http://www.thecalderwoods.org/wpa/WWB-19/content/bin/images/large/_PAS7656.jpg
MrB Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Thats not an OK outcome. While we all know fireworks can, and will be dangerous, nobody wants to consider ones mortality.I'm not a praying man. My belief system is based less on "faith" then "knowledge", and here i sit, wishing there was something i could do. Something we knew, that could change this. I never knew Randy, and yet... In my heart is a pain. There is nothing i can type that makes this blow any easier for Randy's loved ones, friends and family. Nope. Cant think of anything.B!
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