Americans across the country celebrated the country's birthday in a big way, but every 4th of July doesn't come without its fair share of pyrotechnics-related injuries. Sometimes, you might get hurt even if you aren't involved in lighting the fireworks.
To celebrate Independence Day, residents in the Provo, Utah area gathered at LaVell Edwards Stadium for the beloved Stadium of Fire show, part of the annual America's Freedom Festival in town. What should've been an impressive fireworks display quickly turned into a war zone as some fireworks began shooting into the crowd on the field and in the stands.
Multiple people were hurt in the incident, and some even went to the hospital for their injuries. "Six people went to the hospital, but I don't know how serious their injuries were," Freedom Festival spokesperson Emory Cook told KSL. The show was temporarily stopped while the injured spectators were transported for treatment.
Fireworks nailing people at Stadium of Fire pic.twitter.com/ynIdQ52QRW
— Karter Baughan (@karterb8) July 5, 2024
Stadium of fire Fireworks hit spectator???? pic.twitter.com/13HFmyXfBH
— Salani Kitake (@UpdateBYUHC) July 5, 2024
Thoughts and prayers for those injured at Stadium of Fire tonight! Video my wife took… #besafetonight #letfreedomring #zionsyouthchoir @ksl @KSL5TV @fox13 @sltrib @abc4utah pic.twitter.com/urZRTYsoYA
— Ryann Juden (@ryannjuden) July 5, 2024
Footage of firework malfunction at stadium of fire in Utah, at least one person injured #stadiumoffire pic.twitter.com/GAZQqQ8Z6g
— Fosze7 (@ForrestHassell) July 5, 2024
America's Freedom Festival released a statement shortly after the incident addressing what happened.
"Safety is of the upmost importance to us," the statement read, per KSTU. "All pyrotechnics at Stadium of Fire are thoroughly checked before the show, and were rechecked after tonight's incident. Our thoughts are with those who were impacted, and we are following up with them to make sure they are okay."
Witness Blake Grundvig told KSTU that it was the first time he'd seen anything like it in the more than 25 years he's been attending the show.
"First responders were all over and they stopped everything and took care of business," Grundvig recounted. "They just made sure everyone was all right and they did make sure that no one else needed attention."
It was certainly a 4th that no one will ever forget.
