Explosion in Central Park New York
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2016/07/explosion-in-central-park-new-york.html
The explosive that ripped up a tourist's leg in New York's Central Park Sunday morning was most likely a 'homemade' firework or other explosive device, police have announced.
Connor Golden, 18, had his left foot 'severely mutilated' when he stepped on something as he was climbing rocks with friends Thomas Hinds, 20, and Matthew Stabile, 18.
Despite fears that the explosive was a terrorist device, cops say it was more likely a pre-Independence Day 'experiment' by a chemistry enthusiast, and that the chances of Golden - or anyone - triggering the explosive were low.
Holiday weekend horror as 18-year-old tourist's leg is blown off by homemade explosive hidden among the rocks in Central Park
Speaking at a press conference held in front of the rock where the explosion took place, NYPD Deputy Chief John O'Connell said that there was 'no evidence that (the explosion) was related to terrorism' and that there had been 'no credible threats against New York'.
These conclusions were preliminary, O'Connell warned, but police were confident in their beliefs.
The officer went on to say that it was 'not unusual' for people to experiment with homemade explosives and fireworks around July 4.
Cops believe the intent of the explosive's creator was just to 'make a loud noise, make a flash', he said.
The explosion occurred at 10:52am, when Golden leaped off the rock and landed on the device, which detonated, severely damaging his foot.
The fact that his two friends were unharmed, and that the damage was only to one leg, was evidence that it was not intended to harm anyone, O'Connell said.
It had been placed in an area where 'no-one would ordinarily step', he added, but told reported that Golden and his friends were not involved in building the device.
Police believe it had been there for at least a day.
Preliminary analysis by the NYPD bomb squad suggests that the device was not pressure sensitive, but that it was made of 'homemade material' that was sensitive to blows.
Another source told NY Post that the 'tiny' device had been contained in a brown bag and was surrounded by wet matches.
A bomb squad expert said that building such a device would require a good knowledge of chemistry - but nothing that couldn't be gleaned from an internet search.
Police are continuing to look for further evidence, and are appealing for witnesses and video of the area.
Golden, who was visiting New York from Fairfax, Virginia, was seen being treated at the scene with his bloodied foot heavily bandaged; in another, his toes can be seen pointing in the wrong direction.
He is currently undergoing surgery at Bellevue Hospital and his condition is described as 'stable', FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Gala said.
Video :
Tags : explosion in Central Park, Central Park Explosion, New York Central Park Explosion
 |
| The device had been left in a rarely-used area of the park for at least a day before it exploded, police said. They don't believe it was designed to be detonated on impact, but did so because it was made of unstable chemicals |
Connor Golden, 18, had his left foot 'severely mutilated' when he stepped on something as he was climbing rocks with friends Thomas Hinds, 20, and Matthew Stabile, 18.
Despite fears that the explosive was a terrorist device, cops say it was more likely a pre-Independence Day 'experiment' by a chemistry enthusiast, and that the chances of Golden - or anyone - triggering the explosive were low.
 |
| Tourist Connor Golden, 18, had his left foot mangled after accidentally jumping onto a 'homemade explosive' in New York's Central Park Sunday morning. Cops say the device was not made by terrorists, however |
Holiday weekend horror as 18-year-old tourist's leg is blown off by homemade explosive hidden among the rocks in Central Park
Speaking at a press conference held in front of the rock where the explosion took place, NYPD Deputy Chief John O'Connell said that there was 'no evidence that (the explosion) was related to terrorism' and that there had been 'no credible threats against New York'.
 |
| Golden, from Fairfax, Virginia, is seen be taken away from the scene by paramedics. Police say the device was most likely a homemade firework made by a chemistry enthusiast, and that Golden's injury was an accident |
These conclusions were preliminary, O'Connell warned, but police were confident in their beliefs.
The officer went on to say that it was 'not unusual' for people to experiment with homemade explosives and fireworks around July 4.
Cops believe the intent of the explosive's creator was just to 'make a loud noise, make a flash', he said.
The explosion occurred at 10:52am, when Golden leaped off the rock and landed on the device, which detonated, severely damaging his foot.
The fact that his two friends were unharmed, and that the damage was only to one leg, was evidence that it was not intended to harm anyone, O'Connell said.
It had been placed in an area where 'no-one would ordinarily step', he added, but told reported that Golden and his friends were not involved in building the device.
Police believe it had been there for at least a day.
Preliminary analysis by the NYPD bomb squad suggests that the device was not pressure sensitive, but that it was made of 'homemade material' that was sensitive to blows.
Another source told NY Post that the 'tiny' device had been contained in a brown bag and was surrounded by wet matches.
A bomb squad expert said that building such a device would require a good knowledge of chemistry - but nothing that couldn't be gleaned from an internet search.
Police are continuing to look for further evidence, and are appealing for witnesses and video of the area.
Golden, who was visiting New York from Fairfax, Virginia, was seen being treated at the scene with his bloodied foot heavily bandaged; in another, his toes can be seen pointing in the wrong direction.
He is currently undergoing surgery at Bellevue Hospital and his condition is described as 'stable', FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Michael Gala said.
Video :
Tags : explosion in Central Park, Central Park Explosion, New York Central Park Explosion
