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Accident at Punkin Chunkin injures two people

James Dawson
/
Delaware Public Media

Punkin Chunkin’s return from a two-year hiatus was marred Sunday by a serious accident.

Delaware State Police report two people were injured when pieces from an air cannon named Pumpkin Reaper came off when it was fired. The pieces, including the trap door where pumpkins are loaded, were blown away from the cannon and into the air before coming down and striking a 39-year-old woman in the head and face.

She was treated at the scene before being taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital.  She was later flown to Christiana Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

A 56-year-old male was also hurt and is at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

State Police initially said one person was killed in the accident, but quickly corrected that report.  They continue to investigate the incident with help from Delaware's Department of Natural Resources (DNREC).

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.
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