The failure of a firework at a show at Sunday River Ski Resort injured three members of the pyrotechnic team Saturday night during Independence Day celebrations.
At about 9:15 p.m., a 5-inch firework shell and mortar tube failed during the fireworks show in Newry, injuring three members of the Central Maine Pyrotechnics crew in a blast, according to a news release from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Show assistant Misty Mellor, 50, of Bath, suffered significant injuries from the explosion and was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where she is recovering. Lead technician Jeremy Mitchell, 34, of Augusta, was transported to Rumford Hospital, where he was treated and released Saturday evening. Another assistant, 30-year-old Robert Bradford of Andover, sustained minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital.
The cause of the firework malfunction is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
No spectators were injured in the blast. The remainder of the show was canceled following the incident.
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