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Northern California Man Loses Hand after Homemade Firework Explodes on Beach

Authorities are investigating a July 5 explosion that amputated a man's left hand and caused hearing and vision damage at Point St. George Beach.

Overview

  • The man, identified by his family as Jason Turner, picked up a shiny, roughly 6-inch device while collecting post‑Fourth of July debris and the object detonated on July 5.
  • Deputies found him conscious with a severe left‑hand injury and he was stabilized at Sutter Coast Hospital before transfer to UC Davis Medical Center for further surgeries.
  • Turner’s left hand was amputated and doctors are treating hearing and vision damage that may require additional operations and long‑term care.
  • His girlfriend, Pamala Ganfield, applied an improvised tourniquet at the scene and deputies have searched the beach for other devices while investigators probe the origin of the suspected homemade firework.
  • The family launched a GoFundMe that drew widespread community support, raising tens of thousands of dollars and reaching nearly $90,000 by July 9 to help cover medical and related expenses.