22-year-old man dies week after fireworks explosion in southeastern Oklahoma

Ely Smith, 22, died from injuries sustained in a fireworks explosion in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, a week after the incident. The explosion occurred on July 2 during the delivery of fireworks for the Boom in the Valley celebration. Smith and two others were critically injured and airlifted to an Oklahoma City hospital, while two others sustained minor injuries. Eyewitness Dan Trujillo recalled the moment, saying, "Everything started going off... I felt it hit me in the chest.

" The Choctaw Nation has since canceled the fireworks celebration, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which raised concerns about safety protocols during public events. Fireworks-related incidents have prompted discussions on regulations and safety measures in Oklahoma. This tragedy underscores the need for heightened safety awareness during fireworks displays.