The popularity of gender reveal parties has increased recently. Regarding how to reveal the gender of their child to family and friends, parents have varying opinions.
What could possibly go wrong at such a fun and exciting time, when there are always party poppers, smoke bombs, cake cuttings, and other surprises?
For one Iowan family, this happy occasion was tragic because a grandma tragically passed away during a gender reveal party.
A piece of metal from an explosive device intended to release either pink or blue smoke struck Palmer Kreimeyer, 56, in the head and caused his death.
She will soon become a grandmother, but sadly, their use of a “homemade pipebomb” for the gender reveal ended in a terrible disaster.
According to the Marion County Sheriff Department’s statement to the New York Times, “our investigation revealed that members of the Kreimeyer family were experimenting with different types of explosive material on Friday and Saturday in an attempt to record a gender reveal that could be posted on social media for friends and family.”.
A metal foundation was soldered to the stand the family made. Gunpowder inside would ignite the revealing device, and it was loaded with that. It was intended to release pink or blue smoke.
The distance between Palmer and the others and the gender reveal device was about 14 meters (45 feet). The grandmother was quickly killed and declared dead at the scene, according to CNN. She was struck by a piece of metal debris that was so forceful it continued to strike her. Before touching down in the field, it climbed more than 400 feet in the air.
The police discovered that the family had been experimenting with various homemade devices. They were going for the “ideal” reveal. something that neither their families nor friends have ever experienced. They want the full reveal to be recorded and shared on social media by their viewers. Nevertheless, their experimentation veered off course.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, “On Saturday afternoon, five family members and a pregnant woman gathered and loaded a homemade stand that was welded to a metal base plate with gunpowder. ”.
According to the statement, “a hole had been drilled in the side for a fuse, a piece of wood had been placed on top of the gunpowder, and colored powder had been placed on top of the board.”.
The metal tubing was then accidentally turned into a pipe bomb by wrapping the tape over the top of it. The explosion caused the stand to burst, scattering metal fragments everywhere rather than shooting the powder out the top as it should have. ”.
Everyone was caught off guard by the terrible explosion. Their grandmother’s passing was not what they had anticipated. While the reveal was going on, other family members were nearby, but only the Palmer was struck by the flying debris.
Police urge people to use all explosive devices with extreme caution as a result of this unfortunate incident. Avoid creating any devices by hand if possible. Why not use something less heinous, like confetti?
You can be sure that everyone is secure and safe in this way.
