Video producer released from hospital following Punkin Chunkin injury

A video producer critically injured during Punkin Chunkin has been released to a rehab facility in New Jersey, according to a CNN report by Lisa Rose.

Suzanne Dakessian, 39, was producing a show Nov. 6 on the celebrated Sussex County event that features machines competing to see which one can shoot a pumpkin the farthest. She was working in an area restricted to competitors, event staff and media when a metal plate flew off an air cannon and struck her. An eyewitness told the Cape Gazette that he saw a piece of metal fly into the air and then hit Dakessian in the head. There was a loud cracking sound as the metal hit her hardhat, and she fell to the ground, he said.

First responders at the scene – medics, troopers and other emergency responders – initially said the woman had died after a flying, object struck her in the head, but they stablized her and updated their original prognosis, said Master Cpl. Gary Fournier of the Delaware State Police. Fournier said police have investigated and the case is under review at the Attorney General’s Office. “There does not appear to be any criminal aspect to this accident,” Fournier said.

Carl Kanefsky, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, said there is no criminal prosecution of the case.

Dakessian was taken to Nanticoke Hospital and then flown to Christiana Hospital where she stayed for 19 days.

According to CNN, Dakessian underwent emergency surgery at Christiana Hospital to remove part of her skull due to brain swelling. Since her release to a New Jersey facility, CNN reports, another surgery is planned to restore the piece of bone that was removed from her skull. She is blind in one eye, cannot move one of her hands, and doctors say it will take a year to assess the long-term effects of the injury, CNN states.

Dakessian told CNN that she now struggles to put on a jacket and other routine movements. “Right now everything is very unpredictable, but I'm just trying to stay hopeful,” she said.

The Science Channel canceled its Nov. 25 show featuring Punkin Chunkin out of courtesy to Dakessian and her family.

Dakessian told CNN she was disappointed that the show produced by Sharp Entertainment did not air. Sharp Entertainment has declined to comment.

The Science Channel spokesman Paul Schur said he could not comment whether the episode will air in the future.

This year, Punkin Chunkin had returned to Wheatley's Farm in Bridgeville two years after a lawsuit resulted in a change of venue.

Punkin Chunkin President Frank Payton could not be reached for comment as to whether the event will be held next year.