Fireworks Blow Off N.Y. Man's Arm

(AP)  Updated at 10:55 p.m. ET

Police say a man lighting fireworks has blown off his arm at a party on New York's Long Island.

Suffolk County police say 36-year-old Eric Smith was using a 3-foot long metal tube to shoot mortars from the street near his Islip Terrace home around 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

Police believe he leaned over the device to ignite it and didn't get out of the way before an explosive shot out of the launcher. His left arm was severed at the shoulder.

Smith was taken to Southside Hospital in serious condition while friends packed the lost limb in ice to try to save it. Police believe doctors will try to reattach his arm.

A hospital spokesman didn't immediately return a call.

Police say another person at the party also was taken to a hospital, but it's unclear why.

[typeA911]

I love this kind of news. Its not as exciting as a Hurricane which I will put on a pot of coffee to watch all night for, but its alright. I want to see where a church was hit by a tornado on Sunday morning,or a hospital on fire and people on crutches and wheel chairs jumping off the roof.

[generey]

Good example of why I stay away from things that go boom.

[tmn]

Indeed. The warnings this time of year are endless - leave fireworks to the pros - yet there are always a few who can only learn the hard way.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

"Fireworks Blow Off N.Y. Man's Arm"

Nope. Wrong headline. It should have read

"Idiot blows his arm off with fireworks in illegal launch device"

[woodynews1]

A tragedy indeed. Our prayers.

Having said this, I believe that these "weapons" should be banded from public use. They are dangerous in the hands of anyone who has not been properly trained as how to use them.

[barbaram99]

Firewores are part of America's Birthday. There were fireworks at her first birthday and that was July 4,1777.The founding Fathers were there. They are apart of her hishory. I feel that those who can't use them in a safe manner should leave them in the paws of them that have the training to do so. They will be on TV tonight. That is how I enjoy them. It is the only way I can see them. They are pretty when done right.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

except that folks back in 1777 had far more brains when it comes to things dangerous than they do now.

Today, any moron with money can buy dangerous fireworks and hurt themselves. Back then guns and the use of explosives were a part of most folks lives. Today, they only use fireworks at the 4th, have no idea how to properly handle them AND constantly get beligerent when someone dares intrude into thier dangerous actions.

This mental midget was using a 3ft metal tube to launch the fireworks. That's not only stupid, it's illegal EVERYWHERE. If the dang thing went off in the tube, it's the equivelant of a small clamore mine - shrapnel going everywhere with the result of severe injury or death.

And yes, fireworks are a case where the rotten apples (or the one armed man) ruin it for everyone else.

I'd have no problem with a complete ban on anything but the full commercial fireworks displays. Too many morons with deadly weapons on the 4th these days.

[omega42]

What was left out of the story, was precisely how much alcohol this genius consumed before his little pyrotechnic display.

[PR_in_Alabama]

We have fireworks on every corner down here and have never heard of someone blowing off any body parts...

[NoSalt69]

That's because you're the only one with an internet connection down there. And there's only one other guy there who can read, but he's been busy readin' and all, so probably did not have a chance to spread the word yet.

[newsterI]

Another moron blows off body parts for a stupid holiday

[larrryshrine]

The man was stupid. The Fourth of July is not a "stupid" holiday. Do some research.

[ddog88]

If I were him, I wouldn't get my arm put back on. I'd get a prosthetic arm that was a mortar tube. AAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! Fireworks ROCK! Celebrate with fire. We're FREE to blow things up!

[tsigili]

Some people just refuse to learn. Sorry about his misfortune, but explosives, of any kind, are dangerous for those who do not know how to safely use them.

Fireworks are, after all, a form of explosives, people.