Fireworks kill 19-year-old in Gustavus

A 19-year-old from Wyoming died in Gustavus when he was struck by fireworks he had lit, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Benjamin Jorgensen of Green River, Wyoming, was reported dead late July 4 to the Gustavus Fire Department, troopers said.

Jorgensen lit a commercially produced mortar-style projectile that struck him, killing him instantly, trooper spokesman Austin McDaniel said. Troopers were notified of the death at 11:36 p.m., and National Park Service rangers from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve responded around 1 a.m. July 5. Troopers flew to the area the next morning.

Jorgensen was working in Pelican and Gustavus, according to McDaniel.

Law enforcement in Wyoming notified Jorgensen’s family, troopers said. His body was flown to Anchorage for an autopsy by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.