12-Year-Old Airlifted After Sudden Explosion In Upstate New York

A 12-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after a loud explosion rocked a Hudson Valley neighborhood. Police are now investigating the cause of the incident.

A child was badly hurt in Orange County, New York, late Tuesday afternoon.

Boy Injured By Fireworks In Middletown, New York

Mark Lieb

A 12-year-old boy is seriously injured after a fireworks accident in Middletown. Mark Lieb of Rockland Video was on the scene.

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He tells Hudson Valley Post that a 12-year-old was badly hurt around 5 p.m. near Emma and Ashley Avenues in the City of Middletown. Neighbors told him they heard "an explosion that sounded louder than a gunshot."

Several exploded fireworks were found nearby.

Boy Airlifted To Hospital

Mark Lieb

The unnamed 12-year-old was airlifted to a hospital at Monhagen Middle School, about a mile from the incident.

Police confirmed the boy was injured after a firework exploded in his hand. There's been no update on his condition. Unconfirmed reports say the boy was badly hurt on his hand when the firework exploded, "blowing his fingers off." Again, the boy's injuries haven't been confirmed by authorities.

Alert: Residents On Edge As Purple Warnings Appear Across New York

The incident is still under investigation, and anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to contact the police.

Mark Lieb

July 4th may have passed, but following these fireworks tips should keep you safe.

Stay Safe With These Fireworks Tips

Stay Safe This Fourth of July with These Fireworks Tips

Fireworks safety tips from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to ensure that you, your friends, and your neighbors have a safe and happy 4th of July.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals

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40 Outrageous Fireworks Names That Sound Fake, But Are Actually Real

In states where fireworks are legal to purchase, stores have to rely on creative names to entice buyers. It's not like they can just go out and light off a test rocket to show customers.

Here are some of the best fireworks names we found when searching leading industry stores' online inventory.

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How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

Besides being a fun fact to impress your friends during the finale, knowing what makes fireworks work is a reminder of just how intertwined our daily lives are with Earth’s natural resources. Some of these minerals are considered critical commodities, meaning they’re vital to modern life and can be difficult to source.

So the next time you see a shimmering white sparkle or a deep red bloom over the Mohawk River, you’ll know: there's real science, and some pretty rare elements behind all that beauty.

It all comes down to chemistry. When fireworks are launched, metallic compounds, also called mineral elements, are heated to really hot temperatures. And as they burn, they emit specific colors of light.

The more complex the mix, the more dazzling the display.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM

Filed Under: New York News