4th of July Storms Caused Two Injuries in North Reading

Thunderstorms on July 4 caused two injuries and a lot of damage. Two people who attended the 4th of July celebration at were hit by tents, but they are both okay.

The rain started around 9 p.m. and those at the event ran for shelter. When the thunderstorms and wind started, the tents blew across the park, hitting two people and leaving equipment exposed. 

One person was sent to the hospital with a concussion, the other's face was cut by a tent, but she was treated on scene.

The DJ's equipment was damaged by the rain, as well as the stage and all the other equipment held under the tents.

“It literally looked like a tornado had come through here,” said Bring Back the Fourth Committee Chairman Fred Chalmers.

The generators were not working during the storm, and the event had to be cleaned up in the dark, and the rain.

Chalmers said Parks and Recreation was a tremendous help with the cleanup effort and they opened up their barn for shelter.

"We had over 100 people taking shelter in the barn," Chalmers said.

He especially wanted to thank Marty Tilton and Chris Demming, both from Parks and Recreation, for their help and support.

Chalmers says that he hopes to have a rain date for the fireworks, but it may not be this weekend. The cost for the rain date would be around $5,000.

Check in with Patch for the latest on the rain date.