Crescent City — Residents and visitors should exercise caution on local shores after a Northern California man lost his left hand when an explosive device detonated at Point St. George over the Fourth of July weekend, Del Norte County authorities said.
The incident occurred July 5 in the parking area near the beach, according to the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, later identified by family as 44-year-old Jason Turner, was collecting discarded fireworks and other holiday trash when he handled what the family believes was a live, homemade firework that exploded.
"As soon as he picked it up, it exploded and it blew off his hand,"
Turner’s family said he was with his girlfriend, Pamala, at the time. His daughter, Autumn Turner, said Pamala applied a makeshift tourniquet using her shirt until emergency responders arrived.
What happened and medical response
Following the blast, emergency personnel transported Turner by Del Norte Ambulance to Sutter Coast Hospital for initial care. Because of the severity of his injuries, he was later flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for further treatment.
Family members said the explosion caused an amputation of Turner’s left hand and left him with partial vision and hearing loss. It remains unclear whether those sensory injuries will be permanent, his family said.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| July 5 | Explosion at Point St. George beach parking lot; victim injured |
| Same day | Transported to Sutter Coast Hospital |
| Subsequent | Airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center for advanced care |
Investigation and public safety steps
The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said deputies have continued searching the beach for additional explosive devices and are investigating who left the device. The sheriff’s office did not specify the type of explosive.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators. The details released so far do not indicate whether charges will be filed; the inquiry remains active.
- If you find suspected explosive materials: Do not touch them and move away from the item immediately.
- Report: Call local law enforcement or emergency services right away.
- Keep children and pets away: Ensure family members and animals do not approach discarded fireworks or suspicious objects.
Turner’s family said he has remained in good spirits despite the traumatic injuries. They also emphasized concern that a child or pet could have been harmed by the device.
I will update this report as authorities release more information about the investigation. Residents who frequent Del Norte County beaches should exercise increased caution when handling debris and report any suspicious items to law enforcement.
