Cannon injures 5 Snohomish students at homecoming celebration

Five students were hurt when they were struck by the Snohomish High School touchdown cannon at the start of Friday's homecoming game.

Shannon Parthemer, spokeswoman for the Snohomish School District, said the students were standing on the sidelines, near the track at Veterans Memorial Stadium. One student was taken to Providence Everett Medical Center; the other four were released to their parents.

Parthemer didn't know who was operating the cannon and did not know if the students were struck by cannon fire or by some sort of flying debris caused by a possible cannon malfunction.

"The district is going to do a full investigation. Our primary concern is for the students," Parthemer said.

A cannon has been used for years at the Snohomish County high school, Parthemer said.

"Its a tradition in Snohomish," Parthemer said. "When there is a touchdown they sound the cannon."

The 7 p.m. game resumed after the accident, Parthemer said. The Snohomish Panthers lost to the Everett Seagulls 16-14.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com