A Tasmanian man who died in 2021 was killed by a commercial-grade firework that exploded in his face, a corner has found.
The coroner’s report by Olivia McTaggart revealed that the 58-year-old man was intoxicated and under the influence of cannabis when he lost his life in Birralee near Launceston on September 17 2021.
McTaggart said the man was attending a surprise fundraising event with his two daughters for a friend who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer when he left the party area and moved to a nearby paddock around 200m from the house.
“His intention was to detonate a large firework that he had in his possession,” McTaggart wrote.
The report found he placed the commercial grade firework inside a mortar tube before igniting the fuse.
“[He] was still leaning over the mortar tube when ignition occurred very quickly and he bore the brunt of the explosion.”
The explosion left the man with a “large, deep open wound to the left side of his chest and burns to his left arm and face.”
After the blast, several guests at the party saw a flash of orange and rushed to assist the man, who sadly passed away at the scene due to his severe injuries.
The toxicology report revealed the man had had a blood alcohol level of 0.101g/100mL and had cannabis in his system.
“His significant blood alcohol level would undoubtedly have caused some impairment to his thought processes and ability to make sensible decisions,” McTaggart said.
In her findings, McTaggart said that the man was not qualified to possess or handle commercial fireworks, raising questions about how he obtained the explosive device in the first place.
“It was unlawful for [him] to be in possession of a commercial firework. Such items are highly regulated and only able to be lawfully purchased by a qualified shot firer.”
“The facts of this unfortunate case illustrate the danger to unqualified persons who attempt to detonate commercial fireworks.”
