Matiss Kivlenieks, the 24-year-old goalkeeper for the Columbus Blue Jackets, died on July 4th after accidentally fireworks exploded on his chest.
Kivlenieks is said to have been sitting in a hot tub during a major vacation party at a private home in Novi, Michigan when an aerial mortar fireworks toppled slightly and shot him in the chest. When Kivlenieks along with other fleeing guests were quick to attempt to exit the hot tub he was hit by an explosive and sustained a head injury, Associated Press reported.
Although paramedics transported him to a local hospital, he was later pronounced dead there.
Amid reports of his death, his staff began posting funeral news.
“RIP Matiss, you are missed very much,” wrote Columbus CEO Jarmo Kekalainen on Twitter.
“Kivi was an outstanding young man who greeted everyone with a smile every day and the impact he had during his four years with our organization will not be forgotten,” wrote Blue Jackets’John Davidson, President of Hockey Operations in a statement.
Former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno tweeted: “What a tragic loss for all of us who knew him and I think and pray for his family. Heaven won a damn good goalkeeper and a better person … Just way too early. “
A native of Riga, Latvia, Kivlenieks joined the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2017 and has also played four games as part of the Latvian team at the Ice Hockey World Cup this spring.
Unfortunately, the goalkeeper wasn’t the only person injured by fireworks this holiday.
A 41-year-old man named Steven Sims died in Huntington County, Indiana, when a mortar exploded in a fireworks tube, fragments of the exploded tube entering his body, killing him on the spot, ABC News reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At least three other serious injuries also occurred from Christmas fireworks.
A 30-year-old man in Kirksville, Missouri, lost his hand in a fireworks accident Friday night, KTVO reported. A man in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, lost part of his hand when he tried to shoot down a fireworks mortar from the sunroof of his car. reported that Daily News JournalA man in Waukegan, Illinois lost most of his face when he saw fireworks explode while watching them, WLS-TV reported.
Every year before July 4th, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission publishes a warning video showing the dangers of fireworks. In its 2021 video, the commission advised against handling amateurs with aircraft and warned viewers not to use quick detonators Beware of detonating explosives shortly after being lit.
In 2020, 18 people died in firework accidents; and an estimated 15,600 more were hospitalized with fireworks injuries, the commission reported.
Fireworks were responsible for an estimated 10,000 injuries and 12 deaths in the United States in 2019.
Tekk.tvhas asked Columbus Blue Jackets for a comment.
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