GREENBACK, TN – A Fourth of July celebration turned deadly in Greenback, Tennessee, when a fireworks mishap led to the death of a 35-year-old man, Matthew Sellars. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Evergreen Farms Lane.
Upon receiving an emergency call about an unconscious individual, deputies arrived at the scene to find three people attempting to resuscitate Sellars. The deputies took over the life-saving efforts, but Sellars was pronounced dead thirty minutes later.
Neighbor Ben Slack shared his shock at witnessing the emergency response unfold, noting the sober reality that accidents like these do occur, even close to home.
According to sheriff’s office officials, witnesses reported that they were setting off fireworks alongside Sellars and another individual. The trio had allegedly been holding the fireworks by hand when a rogue firework struck Sellars in the chest, causing a severe wound.
Describing the harrowing situation, one witness recounted Sellars’ precipitous fall to the ground, bleeding heavily from the chest injury. The incident report confirmed the observation of a large chest wound and a cut on Sellars’ right hand.
Blount County Sheriff’s Office labeled the incident as “sad and unfortunate,” reminding of the dangers fireworks can pose if not handled properly.