Maine Man Tries To Launch Firework Off His Head, Dies Instantly

SteveHolt10 years ago

A 22-year-old Maine man who was celebrating the Fourth of July, drinking with friends and shooting off fireworks died over the weekend while trying to launch one off of his skull.

The victim, Devon Staples, was hanging out in a buddy’s backyard in the small Canadian border town of Calais when this tragic accident occurred.

From the Associated Press:

Staples, 22, of Calais, a small city on the Canadian border, placed a reloadable fireworks mortar tube on his head and told his friends he was going to light it, McCausland said. But his friends urged him to stop.

“Apparently, he thought that was a great idea,” McCausland said. “His friends they thought dissuaded him from doing it, and the next thing they knew, he ignited the fireworks and he was killed instantly.”

Staples’s brother Cody told the Daily News of New York that he was a few feet away when his brother lit the firework and was the first to come to his side after it exploded.

“There was no rushing him to the hospital. There was no Devon left when I got there,” said 25-year-old Cody Staples, who called it an accident.

“Devon was not the kind of person who would do something stupid. He was the kind of person who would pretend to do something stupid to make people laugh,” he said.

Staples’ death is the first fireworks fatality in Maine since the state legalized fireworks on Jan. 1, 2012, authorities said.

Shit. Usually I would find it in my cold, dark heart to make fun of the situation, but I just can’t. His brother’s quotes are equally disturbing and heartbreaking. I can’t imagine witnessing my brother accidentally off himself with a firework on America’s birthday and remaining composed enough to speak with the media.

We all know the guy who pretends to do stupid stuff to make us laugh. Every group of friends has that guy. He’s an important character to us — balancing out the boring, cookie-cutter friends. This tragic accident is just a reminder to always be mindful of the stupid shit your friends try to do to be funny. It can easily backfire.

Prayers going up for the Staples family today. RIP..

[via ABC News/Associated Press]

Image via YouTube