Father Killed After Lighting Firework On Chest

A Texas postman has died in hospital after he placed a large tube-like firework on his chest and set it off, police have revealed.

Justin Bartek, a 30-year-old father, died at Columbus Community Hospital on Tuesday after he was injured by the firework, called a Medieval Knight.

Colorado County Sheriff's officials said Mr Bartek was setting off fireworks with friends at a fishing spot on the Colorado River, KPRC reported.

He placed one of the fireworks on to his chest and was critically injured after it went off.

Erica Jackson, a friend of Mr Bartek, told the TV station: "He just had an infectious spirit, whenever you met him you met a friend.

"He was the light of many people's lives and the world to the people that knew him, and he would give the world to any that asked."

Mr Bartek, who lived in of Columbus, has a three-year-old son, Braxton, with his long-time partner Summer Jenkins.

Family members have set up a GoFundMe account to cover the cost of the funeral and future expenses after his death.

An autopsy will be carried out later this week.

It comes after 22-year-old Devon Staples was killed when he placed a fireworks mortar tube on his head and set it off while drinking with friends to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday in Calais, Maine.

Mr Staples, who reportedly worked at Disney World as Beauty and the Beast character Gaston, was killed instantly when the device exploded.

The two deaths are the first fireworks fatalities in Maine since the state legalised fireworks in 2012.