Fireworks wowed the crowd in Central Lake on Friday, July 4, before they jolted to a stop due to an injury to an employee of Kundis Fireworks. Photo by Jim Schoensee

CENTRAL LAKE -The fireworks at this year's Central Lake show came to a sudden halt last Friday after one of the employees of Kundis Fireworks Displays was injured.

The good news is that the injury was minor -though he had 42 stitches in his face, the injured employee was eating breakfast at Brothers Restaurant in Central Lake the following day, according to restaurant owner Chris Corbett.

"He was eating sausage gravy the next morning," Corbett said. "He said it hurt, but he needed to eat!"

While preparing to set off a firework, a small piece came and hit the employee in the protective mask he was wearing on his face.

There was quite a bit of blood, according to Corbett, but he had no burns on his face and Central Lake Fire Department handled the injury.

"He's been treated and released," Sheriff Terry Johnson said Monday. "He didn't even want to go to the hospital."

Many observers were disappointed that the anticipated finale didn't go off this year, but Kundis Fireworks said they will double up on the finale next year, according to Corbett.