Additional Coverage:
A Northern California man suffered a severe injury when an explosive device detonated while he was cleaning up Fourth of July fireworks debris on a local beach.
Jason Turner and his girlfriend, Pamala, were walking along Point St. George Beach in Del Norte County on Sunday, picking up trash after the holiday celebrations. According to a GoFundMe page created by Turner’s daughter, Ashley, he unknowingly picked up what appeared to be a bomb-like device, which suddenly exploded.
Pamala told CBS News Sacramento that she quickly used her shirt as a tourniquet to control Jason’s bleeding until emergency responders arrived. The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to reports of an explosion at the beach and found Turner with a serious hand injury in the parking lot.
Turner’s daughter shared that he underwent an amputation of his hand and faces additional surgeries. The blast also caused vision and hearing loss; metal fragments remain lodged in his eyes, and his right eardrum was ruptured, resulting in complete hearing loss in that ear.
As the sole provider for his family of seven, including two children still in school, Turner now faces a challenging recovery ahead. The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $100,000 to assist with his medical expenses as of Friday.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and searched the area. The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to avoid handling any suspicious explosive devices and to immediately notify law enforcement if such items are found.
Turner’s family continues to update supporters as he prepares for further medical treatment, highlighting the lasting impact of this tragic accident.