Blue Jackets: Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, dies in accident
July 5, 2021 6:48 PM
Alec Giannakopoulos
UNDATED (AP) — A medical examiner in Michigan says Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died of chest trauma due to a fireworks mortar blast, and not a subsequent fall as authorities previously reported.
Police in Novi, Michigan, tell The Associated Press a mortar-style firework tilted slightly and started to fire toward people nearby. Police say Kivlenieks was in a hot tub and fled with several other people. Kivlenieks was pronounced dead after first responders reached the scene. He was 24.
The Blue Jackets called it a “tragic accident.” Their statement made no mention of fireworks.