A Georgia man attempting to make a video of himself shooting up a riding lawn mower stuffed with explosives has lost his leg.
According to an incident report obtained by 11Alive, a 911 call indicated that 32-year-old David Pressley was shooting Tannerite in the woods and “had possibly blown his legs off from the explosion.”
Tannerite is the brand name of a product that combines ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder. When it’s shot with a high-velocity bullet, Tannerite causes an explosion. The use of this product in big-boom videos has become popular on YouTube.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook:
Yes, it is legal and no, we can’t make people stop doing it. But why, folks, just why? The dangers of tannerite were more than words Saturday afternoon for a 32 year old resident of eastern Walton county. He was dangerously close to the object containing the tannerite when the final gun shot round caused it to explode sending a piece of shrapnel through his leg severing it below the knee. Yes, completely taking his leg. Please adhere to the warnings and use this dangerous material with caution or maybe consider other less dangerous hobbies. It’s just not worth it for a loud boom!
Following is the video from the actual incident as obtained by 11Alive. The police shared the footage because they wanted to educate the public on how dangerous this can be. As the newscaster in the lead-in warns, the footage is graphic – WARNING:
You can actually hear a man yell, “Blew my leg off!”
Tannerite is legal to use in Georgia. The official site posts, “Our patented and trademarked invention is designed for precision, long range target practice. Tannerite®, when used as prescribed, is safe/legal/fun for shooters from all walks of life. Please read all sections of this website so that you know you are in compliance with regulations.”
Pressley was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and is recovering from the incident.
