Blast in Central Park severs man’s foot

New York Daily News ^ | 3 July 2016 | EDGAR SANDOVAL, RYAN SIT, STEPHEN REX BROWN

[Alas Babylon!]

A blast in Central Park severed the foot of a young man visiting New York from northern Virginia Sunday, witnesses said. The NYPD’s bomb squad was investigating the area of the park near E. 68th St. and Fifth Ave. Witnesses said the victim stepped on a device or fireworks, causing the blast. His foot was “all but gone,” one witness told the Daily News. Two of the victim's shocked friends described the ghastly sight moments before being taken away in an ambulance. "We don't know what happened. There was a small explosion and then dust," said one friend who didn't give his name. "We really don't know."

SNIP

He asked the group if they were carrying fireworks or something similar. “They said, ‘We didn't have anything. He stepped on something!" Murphy recalled.

[George Washington Axe]

Song FOOTLOOSE has a new meaning now

[DUMBGRUNT]

In highschool we used to horse around with small bits of ammonium triiodide on filter paper.
On the paper because it would sometimes POP trying to move it.

[Alas Babylon!]

Update on story at source:

The explosive appeared to have been in the area more than a day, according to Lt. Mark Torre, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Bomb Squad said. He ruled out authorities’ initial suspicion of a self-inflicted fireworks mishap.

So... Not a firework.

Then what was it?

[wally_bert]

I doubt the full truth will make it out for at least the time being.

[sockmonkey]

I worked with someone who served in Viet Nam. Whenever she saw a cigarette pack on the ground, she would walk way around it.