Holiday Weekend Results In Tragedy

Two people were injured, requiring hospitalization, during the fireworks extravaganza held Friday night in Shady Dale.

Ed Westbrook explained what happened. He said there were seven crew members working on setting the fireworks off for the enjoyment of the crowd gathered. He said they shoot the fireworks in racks of 12, and about a third of the way through the show, the eighth firework in the row of 12 misfired. The eighth firework exploded in the tube, and it was one of the larger fireworks. That explosion caused the remaining four to explode in the tube, and two people were injured in the blast.

Terry Braley was closest to the explosion and was hit with force, and Robb Leggett was hit with debris causing several injuries including a fractured jaw and cuts along the face and neck.

Mr. Westbrook said that at no time were any spectators in danger. He also said they will reassess and determine when they can finish the fireworks show. He said they had already looked back at what happened and how they can improve safety.

Both the injured men are now home from the hospital where they will continue recuperation.

Mr. Westbrook said the families are appreciative of all the thoughts and prayers that have been lifted for them, and stressed it was a very unfortunate accident. He said nobody did anything wrong; accidents happen.

The remainder of the holiday weekend led to more tragedy for Jasper County. On Saturday, July 5, a young man drowned in the Ocmulgee River. The Department of Natural Resources gave the following press release:

At approximately 5:25 p.m. on July 5, game wardens responded to a possible drowning at the kayak launch on the Ocmulgee River. Upon arrival, they were met by several witnesses who indicated the location where the individual went under.

The game wardens immediately initiated a search utilizing side-scan sonar. At approximately 8:15 p.m., the body of a 15-year-old male was located and recovered. Jaxon Kelly was dead at the scene.

Arrangements for Mr. Kelly are being handled by J.C. Harwell Funeral Home in Covington.

Arrangements were incomplete at press time, so they are not in the print edition, but the obituary is online now.