WITNESSES have told how there was little ambulance officers could do to save a North East man fatally injured by a fire cracker.
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The 46-year-old from Springhurst had been celebrating New Year’s Eve when tragedy struck.
Zack Condick and Luke Coombe were near the beach where the horror occurred at Hollands Landing on the Gippsland Lakes.
They had been in a boat moored only a few metres offshore to watch 9.30pm fireworks on the other side of Lake Victoria at Loch Sport.
Shortly after that display, the Springhurst man’s group ignited fireworks of their own, Mr Coombe said.
At least two fireworks had already been lit before the accident, he said, and when the fatal cracker misfired, sparks flew towards the ground, igniting small blazes on the property where they were staying.
“It was a loud explosion, but we didn’t realise what had actually happened,” Mr Coombe said.
“We knew a firework went off, a bad firework, but we didn’t realise a guy had got hit.
“When we walked over there they were working on him, trying to resuscitate him, but he’d blown himself up basically.
“There was blood everywhere. And it was all over by then.”
The Springhurst man, his wife, and others, are believed to have been gathered around a van a short distance from where the fireworks were ignited when the incident occurred.
The van had signage for Finley butchery Porter’s Quality Meats on it, however an owner of the southern Riverina retailer said it had been sold and was not used by the business.
Police investigators at the scene, a public reserve, seized several metal canisters, including some which appeared more than 50 centimetres high.
The canisters appeared to be mortar-style fireworks, which were the type of explosive used in another recent Victorian death involving a New Year’s Eve illegal fireworks display.
In 2012, Carlos Rodriguez died when he was struck in the face by a firework, bought from a Melbourne shop.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Andrew Crisp said the tragedy highlighted the risks of illegal fireworks.
"We feel for the family of this man at this time," he said.
"Let's take something from this tragic death.
“Hand them [illegal fireworks] in, or dob in someone in who's got them."
“(The man) was involved in letting off illegal fireworks and got it wrong.
“We know there will be more people with illegal fireworks over the summer.
“Fireworks are explosives. They can kill.”
Mr Crisp said when fireworks were mixed with alcohol there could be "tragic" consequences.
