Spreading X-mas Cheer Can Be Deadly

Perhaps this was Jesus' way of saying, "for Christ's sake, you really shouldn't be celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving, damn it."

UTICA — For most people attending the annual Christmas on Main Street Saturday night, the only sign that something had gone wrong was a 30-second break in the fireworks, said Gene Allen, president of the event’s Planning Committee.

But what happened around those 30 seconds – a fireworks incident Utica police believe to have been accidental– took the life of 56-year-old Canastota resident John Hatter.

Hatter was an employee of the American Fireworks Manufacturing Co., which has its offices in Utica and its shop in Frankfort. He had been detonating fireworks for the event, police said.

“It was a terrible accident,” company General Manager Kevin Fritschler said Sunday, adding that he has no other comment.

[...]

Allen said organizers are “devastated” about what happened to Hatter Saturday.

“Our condolences go out to the family,” Allen said. “We had no idea. I don’t know what to say besides that.”

Allen doesn't know what to say besides that? How about "Merry Christmas!"?

[Utica Observer-Dispatch]