Community Corner
Video: Thousands Watch Fireworks in RSM
Annual pyrotechnics show goes on as scheduled despite tragedy in the water as Rancho Santa Margarita celebrates Independence Day.
By Martin Henderson
The lake in Rancho Santa Margarita was once again the focal point for Independence Day activities.
The scheduled climax to the day's festivities was the 20-minute fireworks show that began Thursday at 9 p.m.
This year's event was marred by the drowning of a 3-year-old boy about an hour before the fireworks were scheduled to begin. The Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, better known as SAMLARC, continued with the fireworks event as planned. Many late arrivals were unaware of what had transpired at the Beach Club at about 7:45 p.m., where off-duty emergency personnel performed CPR. Xavier Ergueta was pronounced dead on Friday evening at Mission Hospital, almost 24 hours after he disappeared into the water.
The video includes crowd photos and fireworks video from the nighttime celebration of America's independence.
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