Over two dozen people were injured when a wood platform holding fireworks tipped over on July 4, sending the pyrotechnics into a crowd in Los Angeles during an annual Independence Day show, according to police.
Around 8,000 to 10,000 people were finding their seats to watch the fireworks at Simi Valley park when the fireworks were set off in the wrong direction.
A bright "plume of red and white bursts" quickly spread across the ground, injuring at least 28 people and sent thousands running for their lives according to the Associated Press.
Police are investigating what caused the wood platform to tip over as of press time.
"For some unknown reasons the structure that holds these ordinances collapsed and caused them to be firing into the crowd," said Simi Valley police Cmdr. Stephanie Shannon according to the Associated Press.
Four people were listed in serious condition, but their injuries "were not life-threatening" according to Shannon. Approximately 16 people were taken to area hospitals with "minor to moderate injures" and the remainder were treated at the park.
Emergency crew members, who were already on hand in case of an emergency, set up a triage area for those who were hurt during the incident.
Police estimate that people were 800-900 feet away from where the fireworks were being set off according to the Associated Press
"There was a big boom, everybody started running down the street, people were screaming," Justice Allen, 17, of Simi Valley told the Los Angeles Times. "Everybody was just terrified. People hid in bushes."
One police officer who ran into the crowd as the blasts took place had shrapnel tear through his belt and clothing according to Shannon. She added that the fireworks went off in one direction.
"They are going to travel the same distance across the park as they would in the air," Shannon said according to the Associated Press. "The ones that had actually ignited that had to run their fuse were going directly into the crowd."
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