15-year-old killed after being struck by firework in Amarillo, Texas
A teenager is dead following a fireworks-related incident in the Texas Panhandle, police said.
According to the Amarillo Police Department, the incident took place about 10 p.m. Tuesday in a residential area of the city near a church about 4 miles east of downtown.
Arriving officers found an injured 15-year-old boy and attempted life-saving measures, according to police Sgt. Carla Burr.
The teen was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries.
Burr said police do not know what type of firework struck the teen, and have not yet determined who was holding it before he was hit.
Police did not release the boy's name.
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Nearly a half-dozen firework-related deaths
The teen's death is among about a half-dozen firework-related fatalities over the holiday weekend reported so far this year. Dozens were also hurt.
More than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. last year, including 11 fireworks-related deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
This year's numbers continue to develop.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teenager dies in firework-related incident in Amarillo, Texas
