4-year-old boy dies after fireworks accident in Pulaski County, officials say

A 4-year-old boy died after a fireworks accident during a Fourth of July celebration in Pulaski County, according to the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office and local news reports. The incident occurred Saturday night while the child’s family was using fireworks, officials said, and the boy was struck when a fireworks canister tipped over.

WLKY reported that officials said the canister tilted and hit the boy, identified in reports as Rhett Luttrell, in the torso. The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office said Luttrell was killed when the tilted fireworks tube struck him, and that he was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.

Additional reporting from WKQC and other outlets said the accident happened at about 10 p.m. in Ferguson, Kentucky. According to those accounts, Luttrell was hit when the fireworks canister shifted during the celebration, and the coroner’s office described the circumstances as the child being struck by falling or tipping fireworks equipment.

More than one outlet said the boy was injured during the July Fourth weekend and later died. WKYT also reported that the child who died following the firework incident was from the Somerset area, reflecting that the family’s address or community ties may be described differently across local reporting.

No charges or criminal investigation details were included in the initial reports, and officials did not describe whether the fireworks involved were legal consumer fireworks or whether any specific product brand, permit, or storage practice was at issue. Firework injuries remain a recurring public safety concern during holiday weekends, and Kentucky officials and local emergency agencies routinely remind residents that consumer fireworks can still cause serious burns, impact injuries, and fires when handled incorrectly.

The coroner’s office is expected to maintain an official cause and manner of death determination as part of its death investigation process, while local authorities may review circumstances at the scene if evidence suggests violations of Kentucky law. The case also underscores the need for supervision and safe setup practices when fireworks are used around children, even in private gatherings, given how quickly a tipped canister or misdirected product can cause a fatal outcome.

More detailed information about the child’s identification, the medical response, and any follow-up from investigators could be released in subsequent updates, as local media reported the death and the coroner’s office confirmed the circumstances.