A man identified by his family as Jason Turner suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his left hand, after an explosive device detonated while he was picking up debris on a Northern California beach over the holiday weekend. The incident occurred July 5 at Point St. George Beach in Crescent City, Del Norte County, according to authorities.
Turner, 44, was walking with his girlfriend, Pamala Ganfield, when he picked up what his family described as a "bomb-like device" that unexpectedly exploded. The blast also caused vision and hearing injuries, and he was transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for treatment. Ganfield, who witnessed the explosion, told CBS News Sacramento she used her shirt as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding until first responders arrived.
The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has not officially identified the type of explosive device involved. Authorities believe the roughly 6-inch-long object may have been a homemade firework, according to Capt. Kyle Stevens of the sheriff’s office, who spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle. The sheriff’s office has continued searching the area for additional explosive devices and urged the public to avoid touching any suspicious items.
Turner’s family has launched an online fundraiser for his medical expenses. His daughter, Ashley Turner, has been involved in his care. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators.