Science Channel scraps broadcast of Delaware Punkin Chunkin

The annual post-Thanksgiving broadcast of Delaware’s Punkin Chunkin festivities have been cancelled following serious injuries to a woman at this year’s event.

According to a report in the trade publication Variety, Science Channel executives have scrapped their plans to broadcast a three-hour Punkin Chunkin special this Saturday. This year was to mark Punkin Chunkin’s triumphant return after a two year absence due to insurance issues, but plans for a TV special shown on both Science Channel and Discovery Channel have been cancelled.

“”In light of the unfortunate incident at the Punkin Chunkin event on Nov. 6, Science Channel will not air ‘Punkin Chunkin’ as originally planned,” Science Channel spokesman Paul Schur said, according to Variety. “We are sending our hopes and prayers for a full recovery to the injured woman, her family and loved ones.”

The woman who was critically injured has not been identified, although the Cape Gazette newspaper reports that she was a producer working on the Science Channel show. The injuries happened earlier this month when an air cannon dubbed “Pumpkin Reaper” exploded after the trap door where pumpkins are loaded separated from the cannon during launch. Police say the door and other parts were blown away from the cannon and hit a 39-year-old woman in the face and neck.