A Maine man was fatally struck by a projectile from a mini cannon during a private fireworks display in Oxford County, ABC 8 News reported.
Authorities said the incident occurred shortly before 9:25 p.m. on Saturday at a gathering in the town of Roxbury. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, MedCare Ambulance Service and the Roxbury Fire Department responded to the scene after receiving a report that someone had collapsed, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Surveillance Video Shows Moment Creepy Man Casually Snatches Toddler From Virginia Mall)
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The victim, identified as 41-year-old Joseph Hennessey of South Paris, was transported from the scene and was later pronounced dead, police told the outlet.
Neighbor Kevin Boutin told the outlet that he heard a loud explosion before emergency responders arrived. “I heard a pretty big bang, which I thought was probably a cannon because I’ve heard them and I’ve seen them at different places that I’ve been at,” Boutin said. “Then the fireworks stopped and then all of a sudden, the ambulance was here and the fire trucks.”
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit were called to assist in the investigation, according to ABC 8.
An autopsy was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta. Police said the initial findings indicate Hennessey was killed after being struck by a projectile discharged from a mini cannon at the time of the fireworks display, the outlet reported.
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is continuing to investigate.