Several hurt by fireworks in Illinois

MONTICELLO, Ill., July 4 (UPI) -- Several people are recovering this Fourth of July, the day after being injured when fireworks shells fell into a crowd in Monticello, Ill., authorities said.

An unnamed ambulance crew member told the Champaign News-Gazette seven people were hurt.

The fireworks display began after dusk Thursday evening at Lodge Park, just north of the city, and the accident occurred about halfway through the event with two shells falling onto the crowd, witnesses told the newspaper.

Observers say the errant fireworks sent people screaming as they fled the impact area, WCIA-TV in Champaign reported.

Most of the victims were checked out by emergency crews but at least one was taken to a hospital to be checked out, the TV station said.

The fireworks resumed about five minutes after the incident happened, WCIA reported.

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