...or put your foot somewhere. . .
Careful with those flashbangs, friends! (or any fireworks, for that matter.)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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<http://www.khou.com/news/local/montgomery/stories/khou040830_cc_huffmanfiremanfoot__.cb048de2.html>
Fire chief may lose foot after grenade accident
05:35 PM CDT on Monday, August 30, 2004
By Carolyn Mungo / 11 News
HUFFMAN - A home in rural Magnolia is now under watch by federal agents
and the Montgomery County Fire Marshall. Both agencies are launching an
investigation after a 911 call Friday night.
911 Operator: "What's going on there?
Caller: "A firework blew up and caused some major trauma to the foot of
a 32-year-old male."
911 Operator: "Are you there with him right now?"
Caller: "Yes."
911 Operator: "Is he conscious?
Caller: "Yes."
911 Operator: "Is he breathing?"
Caller: "Yes."
11 News has learned that several Cy-Creek EMS workers were reportedly
partying at the home Friday night when a grenade went off near the foot
of a Huffman Assistant Fire Chief.
Here's the second call to 911:
911 Operator: "Okay what's going on there?"
Caller: "This traumatic injury to the foot from an explosive firework.
I'm a paramedic supervisor with Cypress Creek. The last lady I talked
to, I told we're going to need a helicopter to Hermann."
Caller: "Half his foot's gone."
911 Operator: "Half his foot's gone?
Caller: "Yeh."
911 Operator: "Okay."
The home is owned by a paramedic with the Cy-Creek EMS.
Sources tell 11 News the explosion came from a flash-bang grenade, a
device used by federal and local SWAT teams. It's not licensed for use
by medical personnel.
11 News has confirmed the homeowner used to work for ATF.
In a statement the Cy Creek EMS President said: "We are aware of an
incident that took place over the weekend and unfortunately one
individual was seriously injured. We understand some of our personnel
were present at the time of the accident and we are looking into the
matter."
11 News has learned the victim may have to have his foot amputated.
Meanwhile, because of the nature of the explosive device, Montgomery
County is looking into possible criminal charges
******************************************************************
Paramedic linked to 'flash-bang' snafu for 2nd time
Ex-federal agent named in Friday's blast investigated in July incident
By TERRY KLIEWER
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
MAGNOLIA - A former federal agent connected to a "flash-bang" grenade
explosion that hurt a Huffman man during the weekend is suspected of
misusing a similar device in Hempstead in July.
Gene Williams Jr., 42, head of the tactical medical squad for Cypress
Creek EMS, is under investigation by the Hempstead Police Department,
where he was a reserve sergeant, accused of exploding a "flash-bang"
grenade in a parking lot there during the city's Watermelon Festival in
late July.
Hempstead Police Chief Glenn Smith said Tuesday that Williams, who had
been in his unpaid reserve position for 20 months, resigned Saturday, the
day after the Magnolia accident.
Smith said the Hempstead case is pending with the city attorney.
Meanwhile, federal authorities confirmed Tuesday that Williams was an
agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in
Beaumont until about six years ago. They could report nothing about his
background or reasons for resignation.
Williams declined to discuss what happened Friday.
Smith and Ruben Gonzales, president of the Cypress Creek EMS, confirmed
Williams is under suspicion of having a role in the explosion Friday
night.
Investigators say that about 10 p.m., an explosive device went off near
Steven Cosby, 26, a Huffman assistant fire chief, who lost part of his
foot in the blast. Cosby remains in good condition at Memorial Hermann
Hospital in Houston.
Gonzales said Williams is on unpaid leave.
Sources familiar with the Magnolia case say the device involved appears to
have been a law enforcement-style "flash-bang" grenade. Flash-bang
grenades generally are used to temporarily disorient suspects, such as in
standoffs.
[email protected]
Careful with those flashbangs, friends! (or any fireworks, for that matter.)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
***************************************************************
<http://www.khou.com/news/local/montgomery/stories/khou040830_cc_huffmanfiremanfoot__.cb048de2.html>
Fire chief may lose foot after grenade accident
05:35 PM CDT on Monday, August 30, 2004
By Carolyn Mungo / 11 News
HUFFMAN - A home in rural Magnolia is now under watch by federal agents
and the Montgomery County Fire Marshall. Both agencies are launching an
investigation after a 911 call Friday night.
911 Operator: "What's going on there?
Caller: "A firework blew up and caused some major trauma to the foot of
a 32-year-old male."
911 Operator: "Are you there with him right now?"
Caller: "Yes."
911 Operator: "Is he conscious?
Caller: "Yes."
911 Operator: "Is he breathing?"
Caller: "Yes."
11 News has learned that several Cy-Creek EMS workers were reportedly
partying at the home Friday night when a grenade went off near the foot
of a Huffman Assistant Fire Chief.
Here's the second call to 911:
911 Operator: "Okay what's going on there?"
Caller: "This traumatic injury to the foot from an explosive firework.
I'm a paramedic supervisor with Cypress Creek. The last lady I talked
to, I told we're going to need a helicopter to Hermann."
Caller: "Half his foot's gone."
911 Operator: "Half his foot's gone?
Caller: "Yeh."
911 Operator: "Okay."
The home is owned by a paramedic with the Cy-Creek EMS.
Sources tell 11 News the explosion came from a flash-bang grenade, a
device used by federal and local SWAT teams. It's not licensed for use
by medical personnel.
11 News has confirmed the homeowner used to work for ATF.
In a statement the Cy Creek EMS President said: "We are aware of an
incident that took place over the weekend and unfortunately one
individual was seriously injured. We understand some of our personnel
were present at the time of the accident and we are looking into the
matter."
11 News has learned the victim may have to have his foot amputated.
Meanwhile, because of the nature of the explosive device, Montgomery
County is looking into possible criminal charges
******************************************************************
Paramedic linked to 'flash-bang' snafu for 2nd time
Ex-federal agent named in Friday's blast investigated in July incident
By TERRY KLIEWER
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
MAGNOLIA - A former federal agent connected to a "flash-bang" grenade
explosion that hurt a Huffman man during the weekend is suspected of
misusing a similar device in Hempstead in July.
Gene Williams Jr., 42, head of the tactical medical squad for Cypress
Creek EMS, is under investigation by the Hempstead Police Department,
where he was a reserve sergeant, accused of exploding a "flash-bang"
grenade in a parking lot there during the city's Watermelon Festival in
late July.
Hempstead Police Chief Glenn Smith said Tuesday that Williams, who had
been in his unpaid reserve position for 20 months, resigned Saturday, the
day after the Magnolia accident.
Smith said the Hempstead case is pending with the city attorney.
Meanwhile, federal authorities confirmed Tuesday that Williams was an
agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in
Beaumont until about six years ago. They could report nothing about his
background or reasons for resignation.
Williams declined to discuss what happened Friday.
Smith and Ruben Gonzales, president of the Cypress Creek EMS, confirmed
Williams is under suspicion of having a role in the explosion Friday
night.
Investigators say that about 10 p.m., an explosive device went off near
Steven Cosby, 26, a Huffman assistant fire chief, who lost part of his
foot in the blast. Cosby remains in good condition at Memorial Hermann
Hospital in Houston.
Gonzales said Williams is on unpaid leave.
Sources familiar with the Magnolia case say the device involved appears to
have been a law enforcement-style "flash-bang" grenade. Flash-bang
grenades generally are used to temporarily disorient suspects, such as in
standoffs.
[email protected]
