The young, 24-year-old goalie for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets died over the weekend in a freak fireworks accident.
As ESPN reports:
A medical examiner in Michigan said an autopsy has determined that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast and not a fall, as authorities previously reported.
Police in Novi, Michigan, said the mortar-style firework tilted slightly and started to fire toward people nearby Sunday night. The 24-year-old Kivlenieks was in a hot tub and tried to get clear with several other people, Lt. Jason Meier said.
The initial autopsy determined Kivlenieks died from a percussive injury caused by the powerful blast from the fireworks, which triggered major damage to his heart and lungs, according to police.
“There was some minor injury to his exterior, which would lead us to believe that some portion of the firework made contact with him, but we’re not really sure if it was a direct hit or whether the percussion from the explosion caused his injuries,” Meier said, according to The Detroit News.
The police have gone on to state that they are almost certain that Matiss’s death was completely the result of a tragic accident.
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Sad, So young, future cut short. Rest in peace.
I dislike fireworks for that very reason, fireworks are nice but deadly. So sorry to hear that what a waste of young talent.May my prayers to his family and friends at this time.