That Ain't No Saltwater Taffy!

Update: Our anonymous commenter is likely correct! The substance that burned the crew was solid sodium, which MIT pranksters like to drop into the Charles for orientation.

Members of a Charles River cleanup crew were burned when they picked up a "taffy-like substance." When they put it into their boat, the substance ignited upon contact with water.

The cleanup crew consisted of volunteers who were cleaning up the river along the Mass Ave Bridge. Three members of the crew were burned, two of them in the first and second degree. Two paramedics were also burned.

State Police are investigating, and the bad taffy has gone to a lab. The AP is now referring to the bad taffy as a "mysterious goo."

Although this seems like a freak incident, the flammable taffy episode might give the Charles River Swimmers pause. While we commend them for being brave and proving that the Charles has gotten cleaner over the years, they should definitely steer clear of "taffy-like" materials.