Scout group fined after cannon kills counselor

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Boy Scout group has been fined $11,500 for safety violations after a teenage camp counselor died from injuries he suffered when a ceremonial cannon exploded.

Christopher Kroker, 16, was trying to fire the cannon when part of it flew back and hit him in the head, said Peter DeLuca, administrator of the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. Kroker died four days later.

Investigators concluded that Kroker overloaded the English-made cannon, violating standards set by the National Black Powder Association, DeLuca said Friday.