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July 10, 2009

Dibble man dies after fireworks accident

By Meghan McCormick

A Dibble man has died from injuries he suffered when a lighted firework held above his head malfunctioned and severely injured him.

McClain County Sheriff's Department Lt. Dan Huff said Richard Hines, 26, succumbed to his injuries Sunday night at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. The incident happened Saturday evening at the Hineses' residence at 24742 MacArthur St. Hines and his wife had just moved into their residence in Dibble June 30.

Huff said Hines was celebrating Independence Day with friends and relatives at his home Saturday evening.

"About a dozen family and friends were having a Fourth of July party at the residence," he said. "They were grilling out and firing fireworks throughout the day and evening."

Huff said alcohol was present at the party. Several adults including Hines had consumed alcohol Saturday evening, according to witness statements.

Huff said witnesses told investigators that two party-goers were holding fiberglass tubes above their heads, installing mortar-type fireworks in the devices and lighting the fuses.

"They have instructions that you're supposed to place them on the ground and be in a safe distance," he said.

Huff said something went wrong when the firework held above Hines' head was lit.

"When it discharged, the device struck him in the head and severely injured his hands," Huff said. "He collapsed when it exploded and was unresponsive."

Huff said a call was placed to Dibble Fire and Rescue 9:46 p.m. Saturday about the explosion.

"They were fast to respond," he said.

Huff said when rescue personnel arrived on scene, Hines was unresponsive and bleeding from his hands and head. He had a weak pulse.

Medi Flight transported Hines from the scene to OU Medical Center, Huff said.

He said nobody else was injured in Saturday's explosion, but a couple of people were knocked backward from the concussion of the blast.

Huff said evidence shows the crowd discharged a large amount of fireworks at Saturday's gathering.

"They had lots of them out there. We recovered lots of spent fireworks," he said.

Huff advises anyone who chooses to handle fireworks to follow precautions and not to light them around anything that creates a fire risk. He also recommends having fire extinguishers on hand.

He said people should not consume alcohol or drugs if they choose to light fireworks. The investigation is still ongoing into Saturday's incident.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com

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