After Losing Arm To Fireworks, Man Knows "He Messed Up"

The man who blew off his left arm while setting off illegal fireworks on his Islip Terrace front lawn apparently "knows he messed up." Eric Smith, 36, was using a homemade launcher (a metal pipe) when one hit him in the shoulder on Saturday; his uncle Paul Gilbert said, "He was beating himself up over what he did. He knows he messed up," and also said that Smith's wife "told the kids what happened. But she still hasn't let them see their dad. She thinks it's going to be too much for them to handle." The Post adds, "Gilbert also said Smith has been worried about whether he would be able to work at the LIRR again, but that his cousin, who is a high-ranking railroad official, has assured him he will have a job."

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By Jen Chung in News on July 6, 2010 1:17 PM

Comments [rss]

Kanger

If this was a malfunctioning firework that took off his arm then he would have my sympathy. But he was using a home made mortar so my opinion is that Natural Selection missed it's target.

Kelles

wow he inspects trains for the LIRR ... ?

sfgal82

Hey, if he doesn't go back to work, he can always collect the disability pension. At least then there will be one LIRR employee who actually deserves the higher rate of pay!

r1b2

"...his cousin, who is a high-ranking railroad official, has assured him he will have a job."

To be so open about the nepotism is a bit off-putting. It's hard enough to feel sorry for this guy, knowing he'll scam the system as a union employee makes it even more difficult.

hotstepper

what was his first clue?

grandzu

Sweet, sweet nepotism

JacqueMehoff

I wish I had a job at the MTA.

tankengine

yea he'll have a job at the LIRR getting disability payments like everyone else that works there and putting the MTA more into debt. Idiots should be taxed.