He lit firework in memory of friend, then it exploded and killed him, Michigan cops say

A small group of people gathered on the ice of a Michigan lake to light fireworks in memory of a friend when one of those fireworks exploded and killed a 28-year-old man, authorities say.

He and his friends had gathered at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Crystal Lake in Frankfort, according to a news release from the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office.

As the 28-year-old Frankfort man lit one the fireworks, officials say it exploded and killed him.

The sheriff’s office says a 27-year-old man, also of Frankfort, was critically injured during the honorary fireworks. He was flown to a hospital in Grand Rapids, about 150 miles away.

The men have not been identified as of Feb. 24 and no other details regarding the incident have been released.

Frankfort and Crystal Lake are in the northwest part of the lower peninsula, located close to the shore of Lake Michigan.

This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 10:04 AM with the headline "He lit firework in memory of friend, then it exploded and killed him, Michigan cops say."