KING

Police tape and other debris mark he field where an 8-year-old boy was killed by an exploding cannon in Little Rock, WA, July 4, 2007.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The parents of an 8-year-old boy who was fatally injured on the Fourth of July last year are blaming Thurston County emergency responders.

The parents filed a claim Monday saying that damages could exceed $47 million.

The boy, Devan Vyborny, was struck in the chest by shrapnel when an 18-inch cannon fired by his grandfather exploded near Rochester.

The claim says Medic One personnel appeared not to know which medical devices to use and they were slow to take Devan to a hospital. The claim says 911 dispatchers canceled an airlift.

Thurston County spokesman John Tennis says it's too early to discuss the claim.

Littlerock Deputy Fire Chief Gary Kerker said the crew responded in minutes and did everything they could for the boy.