fireworks News

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Manslaughter charges are to be dropped against the man who organised a firework display on the night of the M5 crash in Somerset in which seven people died. Bristol Crown Court heard that Geoffrey Cousell will face a health and safety charge.

Fifty-one people were also injured in the crash near Taunton in November 2011. Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour from Avon and Somerset police said:

The collision on the M5 in November 2011 was one of the worst in living memory. We launched a comprehensive investigation immediately after to establish the full circumstances which led to the collision. Our investigation was meticulous and complex. We took hundreds of witness statements, examined 34 vehicles and consulted several experts. Based on this evidence the Crown Prosecution Service took a decision to charge. However, following further consideration in recent weeks they have decided to drop the manslaughter charges.”

• UK
• M5 crash
• Somerset

A cat was killed when a firework which was strapped to its back exploded.

Northamptonshire Police have launched an investigation after the incident was reported by a woman who witnessed the blast with her daughter in Shelley Road, Wellingborough, just after 6pm on Saturday.

For more on this story, visit the ITV Central website.

• UK
• cat
• Fireworks

The City of Edinburgh Council has launched an investigation after a "freak accident" at a fireworks display left an eight-year-old girl injured.

Pentland Community Centre at Oxgangs Brae in Edinburgh was hosting its annual bonfire night on Monday when a rocket misfired, bouncing off a wall and into a box of unexploded fireworks, dispersing them into the crowd of spectators.

This video posted on YouTube claims to show the incident taking place:

The unnamed girl was taken to hospital with a burn on her cheek.

Chairman of the community centre, Dennis Williams, apologised for the "unfortunate incident".

"This was a freak accident, and most regrettable, but this is the first incident we have had in 10 years of holding this popular community event", Mr Williams said.

City of Edinburgh Councillor Cammy Day said the council is "investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident".

"We are working closely with the organisers of the display and with our partners at Lothian and Borders Police and Lothian Fire and Rescue Service to determine what happened", Cllr Day added.

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• Edinburgh