Science Channel cancels pumpkin-flinging TV special after explosion, injury
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Paramedics transport a man to an ambulance after he was injured when an apparatus used to launch pumpkins into the air exploded at the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Contest in Bridgeville, Del., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016. (AP)
The Science Channel has canceled its planned TV special on a Delaware pumpkin-launching competition after a woman was critically injured during the event earlier this month.
Science Channel spokesman Paul Schur said in a statement that the network has canceled the Saturday night three-hour "Punkin Chunkin" special. The show was also going to air on the Discovery Channel.
Delaware State Police said in a statement that an air cannon's trap door ripped off the machine after the cannon fired a pumpkin on Nov. 6. A 39-year-old woman was hit by chunks of metal and remains in critical condition. A 56-year-old man was also hurt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Science Channel production crew had been chronicling the three-day Sussex County tradition.
Authorities say the incident has been preliminarily considered an "industrial accident."