Latest news with #WilliamCDavis
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Six people hospitalized after fireworks barge explodes on Lake Martin
A pontoon boat that law enforcement officials said had been modified to act as a fireworks launch barge exploded on Lake Martin during a July 4 fireworks show, injuring six people. The Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the explosion in the Blue Creek area. The incident happened at 9:14 p.m. and involved "unpermitted fireworks" and an onboard explosion that injured six individuals," said Capt. Jeremy Burkett, spokesman for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The explosion resulted in injuries to William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49, who were both taken to the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Hospital, and Alan J. Simmons, 31, who was taken to the Lake Martin Community Hospital in Dadeville for treatment, Burkett said. Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, were also taken to local area hospitals for medical treatment, Burkett said. More: Interstate crash seriously injures six people in Autauga County The incident happened near the Kowaliga Basin in Blue Creek on Lake Martin. Troopers with ALEA's Marine Patrol Division responded to the scene and notified ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation Hazardous Device Unit along with Alabama Fire Marshal's Office, Burkett said. Special Agents with the Hazardous Device Unit and Deputy State Fire Marshals arrived on scene and were able to render the remaining unexploded fireworks safe, he said. ALEA's Marine Patrol Division and the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office have launched a joint investigation, with the Fire Marshal's Office serving as the lead investigating agency into the fireworks portion of the investigation. No other information about the incident was immediately released by law enforcement. This story was updated to add more information. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@ To support his work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Fireworks barge explodes on Lake Martin
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
6 People Injured After ‘Unpermitted Fireworks' Exploded on a Boat
Six people have been hospitalized after 'unpermitted fireworks' exploded on a pontoon boat in Alabama Authorities said the boat was 'modified into a fireworks platform' and 'malfunctioned' during a fireworks celebration Witnesses at Lake Martin said the boat had been launching fireworks for several minutes before the explosionA Fourth of July fireworks explosion in Alabama has resulted in the hospitalization of six people. The incident involved 'unpermitted fireworks' and occurred at about 9:14 p.m. local time on a part of Lake Martin in Tallapoosa County, according to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Authorities stated that the incident involved the malfunction of a pontoon boat 'that had been modified into a fireworks platform' for a planned fireworks celebration. Those injured included William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49 — both of whom were transported to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital — as well as Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, all of whom were transported to local hospitals for treatment, per the release. The condition of those injured is not yet known. There will be an investigation into the incident led by the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office, per ALEA. ALEA informed PEOPLE that they have no additional information to share at this time. PEOPLE additionally reached out to the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office for comment on Saturday, July 5, but did not receive an immediate response. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The fireworks display was an annual event, according to local news outlet The Outlook. The outlet reported that witnesses at the event said that the boat had been launching fireworks for several minutes when one exploded low and near the vessel, at which point the boat appeared to catch fire. At least three medical helicopters were utilized to transport victims to local hospitals, per The Outlook and ABC 33-40. In addition to details regarding the incident, ALEA shared multiple fireworks safety tips in their statement to the public, including 'never launch fireworks from boats unless specifically permitted and equipped with proper safety measures,' and 'secure your fireworks setup to prevent tipping or misfires due to wind or movement.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
6 People Injured After ‘Unpermitted Fireworks' Exploded on a Boat
Six people have been hospitalized after 'unpermitted fireworks' exploded on a pontoon boat in Alabama Authorities said the boat was 'modified into a fireworks platform' and 'malfunctioned' during a fireworks celebration Witnesses at Lake Martin said the boat had been launching fireworks for several minutes before the explosionA Fourth of July fireworks explosion in Alabama has resulted in the hospitalization of six people. The incident involved 'unpermitted fireworks' and occurred at about 9:14 p.m. local time on a part of Lake Martin in Tallapoosa County, according to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Authorities stated that the incident involved the malfunction of a pontoon boat 'that had been modified into a fireworks platform' for a planned fireworks celebration. Those injured included William C. Davis, 39, and Aaron L. Kovak, 49 — both of whom were transported to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital — as well as Johnathan R. Wilmarth, 43, Joshua A. Husted, 36, and Matthew Davila, 28, all of whom were transported to local hospitals for treatment, per the release. The condition of those injured is not yet known. There will be an investigation into the incident led by the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office, per ALEA. ALEA informed PEOPLE that they have no additional information to share at this time. PEOPLE additionally reached out to the Alabama Fire Marshal's Office for comment on Saturday, July 5, but did not receive an immediate response. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The fireworks display was an annual event, according to local news outlet The Outlook. The outlet reported that witnesses at the event said that the boat had been launching fireworks for several minutes when one exploded low and near the vessel, at which point the boat appeared to catch fire. At least three medical helicopters were utilized to transport victims to local hospitals, per The Outlook and ABC 33-40. In addition to details regarding the incident, ALEA shared multiple fireworks safety tips in their statement to the public, including 'never launch fireworks from boats unless specifically permitted and equipped with proper safety measures,' and 'secure your fireworks setup to prevent tipping or misfires due to wind or movement.' Read the original article on People
