Man loses hand after explosion on California beach while picking up debris, family says

A man suffered a violent hand injury after an explosive device detonated while he was clearing Fourth of July trash along a beach in Northern California over the holiday weekend, the family said.

It happened July 5 at Crescent City’s Point St. George beach parking lot in Del Norte County.

The man has since been identified by family as Jason Turner, 44. The family says Jason was walking along the beach with his girlfriend, Pamala, and picking up discarded fireworks and other trash from the Fourth of July holiday.

His daughter, Autumn Turner, said Jason spotted what appeared to be a small silver ball in the sand and believed it was trash. She said it was actually what the family believes was a live, homemade firework.

“As soon as he picked it up, it exploded and it blew off his hand,” she said.

The family says the blast resulted in the amputation of Jason’s left hand. His family said he currently has partial vision and hearing loss, though it is unclear whether those injuries will be permanent.  

Due to the severity of his injuries, Turner was first taken by Del Norte Ambulance to Sutter Coast Hospital, the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said. He was later transported to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for further treatment.

Authorities launched an investigation into what caused the explosion and searched the nearby beach for additional explosive devices. Deputies have continued checking the area, and the sheriff’s office said it is searching for whoever left the explosive device on the beach.

The sheriff’s office did not say what type of explosive device detonated.

Jason’s girlfriend Pamala, who said she witnessed the explosion, told CBS News Sacramento that she used her shirt as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding until first responders arrived.

Despite his injuries, Autumn Turner said her father has remained in good spirits throughout his recovery.

“He’s the type of man to say he’s just glad it was him and not a kid or a dog,” she said. “He’s always been that type of guy.”

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators.

Officials also reminded the public not to touch any suspected explosive devices. Anyone who discovers a suspicious item should move to a safe distance and immediately contact law enforcement, the sheriff’s office said.

The Turner family also hopes his story serves as a reminder that dangerous fireworks or explosive devices can remain on beaches even after Fourth of July celebrations have ended.

“I never thought something would happen to my dad like that,” Autumn Turner said. “We always saw him as invincible.”